Prince Hidden in the Sands
In this story, Ice is in the form of a Zweihänder instead of an overly large greatsword.
—
Sunspear-Years Ago
—
"Arianne," Doran said with patience in his voice as she glared daggers at the man. "Please, you are not listening. Just give me the time to explain."
"Explain what? That you don't want me as the next Princess of Sunspear?" Arianne said as she clenched her fists, making her father release a sigh. "I saw the letters you and the 'new' heir of Sunspear have sent between each other!"
The Prince released a tired sigh and leaned back into his chair. "Arianne, dear. What is between me and your brother isn't what you think." He said patiently his eyes looking at the beautiful form of his eldest. "I'm preparing Quentyn to be heir because I want-."
"Because you are sexist and you want to ruin centuries' worth of traditions!" Arianne interrupted, not wanting to hear it. Walking up to her sitting father, the Heir to Sunspear leaned over and looked into his blank dark eyes. "I'm going to Norvos to live with mother, where I won't be looked down on."
Without breaking in motion she quickly left, fighting tears as she opened the doors. Doing so she walked past three of her cousins who looked after her with worry. Unknown to the Princess was that Doran finished his sentence.
Entering her room, she barred and locked the door. Once alone Princess Arianne fell onto the floor and leaned back against the door, allowing her tears to finally fall.
Minutes went by as silence found a companion in the eldest Martell. All the while she quietly cried Arianne was in her mind thinking about everything that happened in the last few hours. She loved her father, she truly did all the memories of her youth were filled with the image of a smiling and laughing Doran Martell, but ever since her aunt, Elia Martell, passed something changed in him, and the princess didn't understand why he would suddenly change his mind on his heir.
Wiping her eyes dry Arianne slowly packed her things, things she might need while in the City of the Three Bells. Clothes, jewelry, gems, books and letters. It took her a total of 5 minutes to prepare everything and have them packed. Unbarring and unlocking her door she was surprised to find that it was unlocked from the other side.
She expected it to be barred and there to be guards standing there, which there were but not as many as she expected. "Can I have help with my luggage?" Arianne asked out loud and was surprised when two of the guards nodded.
Watching as they guarded them and waited for her to finally lead them. "Where to princess?" One of the guards asked, making her nod.
She quickly led them through the halls to the outside world where a ship should be waiting, having sent out a scroll to let a captain know about her plans. While leading she came across a normally locked and very untouched room.
Stopping Arianne, her interest peaked, went back to the opened door, and opened it until she found herself being surrounded by an unbearable amount of warmth. Looking in the room she found it fairly small, maybe enough room to hold maybe 3 people comfortably.
However, what gained her attention were the banners and what the room held in the centre. On each of the three walls was the three-headed red dragon on a black back banner. Directly between a banner of the former monarch of Westeros and a running gray direwolf on a banner of white, was an armour stand holding a well-made set of armour but in the place of a helmet was the crown of the Conqueror.
Arianne's eyes then went to the centre of the room, and she made her way to it, the warmth getting greater and greater the closer she got. Stopping only a few inches away, her blue eyes found a gray and blue dragon egg, and with it three others. Seeing this sent the young beauty's mind on a ride.
Elsewhere in the palace of Sunspear, Prince Doran Martel was sitting in a chair looking at a game of Cyvasse. "Has Arianne seen the room?" He asked out loud, as he moved his dragon to take his opponent's elephant.
With the question, someone walked out of the shadow of the men's room. "Aye, Ari has seen the dragon eggs and the crown." The voice belonged to Oberyn Martel who was making his way to the empty seat across from his older brother.
"Good," Doran said as he watched the Red Viper move one of his pieces. "She is now a part of the Games, and soon she'll be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms."
—
Norvos
—
"Uncle?" Arianne said with happiness and suspicion in her voice as she watched the Red Viper enter the hall. "It's nice to see you. But why are you here? Did father send you to try and convince me to return?"
The man laughed as he shook his head. "Of course not, Ari." He said as he stopped before her and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm here to talk to you about something of importance."
The beauty snorted unladylike and laughed. "What's so important for you to visit me in Norvos? Is it about the heirship to Sunspear I'm pretty sure you and I both know who it's going to?"
As Arianne said that she watched Oberyn's smile fall and a serious look came upon the man's face in its place. "Your father is making Quentin his heir because he has a better and more sitting position for you, Niece."
"Ha!" She laughed. "And what position is that? A lady of a house to an old lord in Dorne. Like hells, I will ever fall to th-."
"Doran has plans of making you Queen of the Seven Kingdoms." She was cut off by her uncle who looked furious with her. "You and I both know that your father loves you too much to have you go marry someone you don't like. He also knows that nothing greater than Sunspear, or the Throne is worth your attention. Which is why he has had you betrothed to the next rightful king."
Arianne's mind was working like never before. That wasn't what she expected, to be queen… was something her Aunt Elia was meant to be. Thinking over how she could be queen, the picture of marrying Joffrey Baratheon came to mind. But she knew that was never happening, her father hates the current rulers of the throne.
Then the image of the room she found opened at Sunspear came to mind. Arianne's eyes widened at the thought. "Viserys Targaryen." She said out loud watching as Oberyn didn't move at the moment of the name. "I swear to Mother Rhoyne, that if you or father expects me to marry that madman, I'll throw myself from the walls."
It was no secret to anyone in Westeros or Essos that the children of Aerys and Rhaella Targaryen lived in Pentos. It was also no secret that Viserys Targaryen was psycho-levelled crazy and if he was to hold power, he'd probably be worse than his father.
"No." Arianne was broken from her thoughts by her uncle speaking. "You will not marry the Beggar King, and if he did then I'd rather be a Kinslayer than see you have to marry that fool," Oberyn said as he stepped closer to her. "No, your father has someone else in mind. Someone who holds a stronger line to the throne, and has more power and allies."
Hearing this made the dornish princess confused, and she thought of who it could be. After thinking about it for a few seconds only one name came to mind and it was Aegon. But it couldn't be… he and Rhaenys were killed during the sacking of King's Landing. Yes, she and her family held out hope for them to be out there, however, to make a betrothal you needed the agreement from the other's guardian or parents.
"Which brings me to the reason why I am here." Her uncle said bringing her back to the present. "However before I introduce him to you, let me tell you that the reason for Robert's Rebellion was built and fed off of a lie."
Her eyes widened hearing this, which made even more sense for there to be the banner of House Stark to be in that room. "They loved each other." She said, but that only made her feel anger that Rhaegar ran away from Elia for another.
"They did. Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark loved each other, and they later married on God's Eye with Elia Targaryen and a few others as witnesses." Oberyn said as he stepped to the side. "And from that love came a son. Let me introduce you to Daemon Targaryen."
—
Winterfell
—
A week went by since the Wildlings joined the North and bowed to him. Once they had their lands, Ned spent days laying down some rules before he went on and cut off all the cocks and hands of those who violated his people during his reign as Warden and those during his father's reign.
The first of many rules were to stay in the Gift, and if you are found on Karstark, Umber, Mountain Clan, and his other lords' and ladies' lands. The newly integrated people would find more people missing cocks and hands. The other was the making and lordship of new houses in the north.
With those done and the process of keeping his words to his lords finished. Ned spent 2 days on the road to return to his home and family, and after so long and seeing the 100ft tall walls of the inner gate, he couldn't help but allow the smile to show.
Seeing this made Ned speed up and within minutes the Warden of the North and his guard, led by Jorah Mormont, found themselves in Winter City, with people moving out of the way for their lord.
Not much longer Ned watched as the grand doors opened, bringing the sight of 4 pairs of purple eyes, and a singular pair of blue eyes looking at him. Riding up to his family he got off his black warhorse and embraced his lady wife.
"Ash," Ned said as he gave a bit of an inhale, smelling the soap she used in her black-as-night hair. "I've missed you." With that, he broke the hug and placed a kiss on her lips.
"Ewwww!" Someone to his right shouted, and Ned broke the connection to look at his youngest, Cregan Stark at the young age of 8. "Please don't ever do that again! Especially in front of me!" A smile then formed on his Dayne face, and he raced over to him. "Now I need affection from you."
Ned laughed as he ruffled his narcissistic-tendency son. "Hello, Creg." He said as he went to his knee and gave the young boy a small hug as he felt another pair of arms enclose him. "You as well Beron."
Seconds went by as Ned enjoyed the company of his twin sons. But feeling as if it was enough he broke the hug and got to his feet and looked to his wife, placing a hand on her swollen belly, and his smile grew when he felt a kick.
"She senses her father, my love." Ash said, and he couldn't help but nod, not removing his hand. His attention was broken when his wife faltered as she leaned into Ned. "She's expected soon, so I apologize but I must return to our room."
Nodding he motioned for Maester Luwin to come. "Of course, my love. I'll be there for you but I must say hello to Dya and Robb." He said as Ash nodded and clutched to the old Maester. "Beron, Cregan, why don't you go help your mother the best you can." He said and immediately both of them went to their mother, the elder grabbed her hand, and the younger just followed by skipping.
Watching as they slowly made their way over to the steps up to the Lord and Lady's shared bedroom. Once out of sight the Warden of the North made his way to his eldest daughter and son.
"Father." They said with a smile and gave him a quick hug before breaking it. "I hope everything went as planned?" Robb continued for the two.
Ned nodded and made his way to the godswood, the 2 followed, and with a quick nod towards his captain of the guard, the man went to fetch Ice. "It went as well as expected, Robb. Most stayed behind, and we even had to fight a few. But we still got maybe a quarter of them behind the Wall."
He finished as the trio entered the place of worship, and together they made their way to the weirwood tree. "Were the rumours true? That there are giants and mammoths?" Dyanna asked, finally showing her true colours.
Ned nodded. "Ah, there's the daughter I know." She laughed at what he said. "But yes, giants and mammoths roam the lands beyond the Wall. We even got a clan of giants of our own."
The warden watched as sparkles went off in Dyanna's eyes. "Sick." She said, making the graying man smile, and after a few seconds Ser Jorah was coming towards them, and with him Ice.
Taking the ancestral weapon of his house, and giving it to his heir, watching as Robb carefully took the valyrian steel sword out of its sheath.
Looking back at the captain of his household guard, he nodded. "It's time. Fetch the crown and call the bannermen, it's time for a change." The man's eyes widened, but they quickly vanished with a quick nod.
"Father." Ned looked back to his eldest, who had a confused but also excited look in her eyes. "What are you planning?" Dyanna asked with a bit of excitement in her voice.
It was no secret that she disliked the South, with her home Dorne as an exception, and if she was ever given a chance, Dyanna Sand would join any battle to end them. Her reason… no one but she or Jon knew.
Lord Eddard Stark nodded and sat down on his log in front of the weirwood tree and the black pond. Taking Ice, he leaned it onto his leg and grabbed a whetstone. Running the prepared greatsword, he looked at both Robb and Dyanna. "It's time for a change."
—
Laying down on his bed, Ned wrapped his arms around his wife. So long without the heat of her presence in his tent or vicinity. Breathing in Ned enjoyed the smell of Ash, and he smiled when her hand interlocked with his.
Silence reigned in the room as they enjoyed the welcoming warmth of each other, with the only interruption being the kicking from the unborn babe. Every time Ned felt the kicks he couldn't help but smile.
"Do they know?" Ash asked gaining his attention, and he nodded. Making her look at him with a small glare. "Then you better keep them safe. Robb didn't come from me but I see him as a son, and you already know what I'd do if Dya was killed."
Squeezing her hand Ned spoke in a cold but caring voice. "You don't need to worry, my Love. They will be at my side at all times, leading the army at the head, and they will fight beside me." He kissed her on the forehead and went back to speaking. "Also put some faith into Robb and Dyanna. They have spent years training and Robb is one of the best with a lance, and Dya, well we already know what kind of training she has gone through."
The glare faltered from Ash's face and a small smile. "That she has…." She squeezed his hand, looking away a tear falling from her eyes. "She's grown into a fine young woman, don't you think, my Love?" He nodded placing his chin on her head.
Silence followed and in a span of a few minutes Ashara Stark was fast asleep in her husband's arms. Ned felt sleep claiming him then, and as he did so he couldn't help but be happy to see what his family's reaction is going to be when they see the direwolves.
However, his sleep was interrupted by a gentle knocking at the door. "My Lord." The sound of Jorah's second in command spoke. Releasing a tired sigh, Ned slowly released his hold on his wife and grabbed the first thing he could which was a warm cloak. Opening the door, the man continued. "Lord Yohn Royce has entered the North and is making his way here. He was sent her under instructions of the Hand of the King."
—
TBC
—
House Stark and their whereabouts:
Head- Lord Eddard Stark; Winterfell
First Wife- Catelyn Tully; Riverrun
Robb Stark(283); Winterfell
Canon Robb Stark believes in only the Old, and he is colder and more ruthless.
Sansa Stark(286); Riverrun
Canon Sansa Stark. She doesn't know anything about the north nor did she ever step foot into the lands of her father.
Second Wife- Ashara nee Dayne Stark; Winterfell
Dyanna Sand(282); Winterfell
Dyanna has long hair that goes down to the small of her back and is always in a northern bun, she also has dark purple eyes and even though she doesn't like them she is willing to wear dresses. She is strong with the wolf blood. Dya also has a crush on her supposed twin who was always there for her when she needed someone.
Beron and Cregan Stark(285); Winterfell
Beron is Stark in appearance with a long face, brown hair and sometimes a cold personality. He has his mother's eyes. Cregan is Dayne with his mother's face, black hair and eyes. His personality is narcissistic at times but he is normally joyful and lively.
Ulrick Stark(286); Wolf's Den
Ulrick was quiet when born barely making a noise and it has kept with him through his aging. He has Stark-like eyes, hair and facial structure.
Unborn Daughter(292)
Lord Commander Brandon Stark; Castle Black
Prince Daemon Targaryen/Jon Snow(282); Norvos
Betrothed Princess Arianne Martel(276); Norvos
New Houses of the North
House Flint of Kraken Cape
Artos Flint
House Umber of Wolf's Den
Mors Umber
Ward Ulrick Stark
House Mormont of Drago Point
Maege Mormont
Heir Dacey Mormont
House Rayder
Mance Rayder
Heir Unborn Child
House Redbeard
Gerrick Kingsblood
House Thenn
Magnar Signor Thenn
House Giantsbane
Tormund Giantsbane