Chapter 11: The Snake's Secret

In the south...

Willas Tyrell POV

Willas was leaning with his elbows on the pier of the ship looking towards the coast of Dorne. His hawk, Garth, was flying in the sky above their ship. Soon he will meet his future wife, Arianne Martell. Rumour says that she is one of the most beautiful women in Westeros, and this put his heart at rest. But he also felt pity and compassion for her, knowing that if she marries him, she cannot be Queen of Dorne. She cannot take her rightful place.

He never wanted that to happen to her, but he couldn't do anything about it. They needed Dorne to resist Tywin Lannister.

"What are you thinking about, Prince?" he hears his friend Garrett.

Willas sighed "I think of my future wife. She should rule this Kingdom, according to Dorne's law. Still, her father marries her to the next kingdom, taking away her right to the throne in order to satisfy his lust for power. Prince Doran is apparently no different from the others, preferring power over his daughter's happiness, and preferring a male over a female, as his successor, even though she is the eldest one. You know, I never wanted power, because as you can see it corrupts the soul."

"You could have refused..."

"No. That was an ultimatum for me. I had to choose. If I didn't accept the marriage, I had to give up the throne. Anyway, I had nothing to lose. It's not that I have a woman for whom I would give up the throne. She is the one who has more to lose, but I am sure of one thing. When I'm king, I won't do the same to my children.

His friend laughed and put his hand over his shoulder.

" Anyway, the Southern realms will soon fall. Tywin Lannister is too smart, ruthless and cunning to lose. Perhaps the only kingdom that could beat him is the North with their young King, who is just as smart and ruthless."

"So you believe the stories about Astapor."

"Of course I do. And the others are stupid for not believing. I've read a lot of books about the first men, and the young king is a descendant of them, on his father's side. And on the mother's side, he has blood from ancient Valyria, certainly not like the Targaryen but enough to create the most powerful creature of this world. Daemon Stark, the Son of King Jonnel Stark and Daena Targaryen, despite having been met Targaryen and half Stark did not have this power. He was not a Warg. Although, he was a great king. Jon Stark, on the other hand, is a completely different animal. And above all, he has the weather on his side. Winter is coming and it is at that moment that the wolves are stronger. Tywin Lannister will be a fool to challenge him. Or Invade him. "

"Well, if he conquers all the kingdoms of the South, he'll have a powerful army that..."

"That will be slaughtered, Garrett."

"Tywin Lannister is smart enough not to fall into the boy's traps."

"Are you sure about that? He knows the kings of the South. He knows my father, who is dumb, and who will have our house ruined when my grandmother is gone. All these are old kings who met Tywin Lannister in their youth, who may have been defeated by him in border battles, but a young king, whom he never met and who is not afraid? Even I would be afraid of one..."

"Look! Martell ships" His friend said pointing with his finger. And Willis looked, to him it seemed strange that Martell ships were coming towards them.

"I don't like this, Garrett. Warn the men in case of boarding. Discreetly."

He nodded and ran down. As they got closer and closer, Willis saw what looked like a catapult is the last thing he saw was arriving fireballs that destroyed the ship and made him fall into the sea.

Arianne POV

Arianne was on her way to Sunspear's stables. She had to leave the palace and start her plan to defend her claim to the throne.

Riding on her Dornish mare, Nymeria, Arianne saw a man lying on the beach and a falcon next to him.

She got off the horse and approached him. Turning him on his back she saw that he was a soldier, without a coat of arms, and he was very handsome. Examining him, she saw that he was injured on his side and on his leg.

So Arianne began to slap his face and make him wake up. Wake up" continues slapping his face and beat on the chest and suddenly the soldier regained consciousness, starting to throw water out of his mouth and to cough. She helped him to get up, and she heard him ask "M-my men?"

She looked out to sea but there was nothing "I don't know what you're talking about, soldier, but you're hurt. Can you tell me your name?"

But he didn't have time to speak out that he was unconscious again. Now Arianne didn't know what to do. Help him and bring him somewhere safe, or leave him here. Looking more towards the shore, however, she saw that there was a banner floating on the water. She stood up and ran to get it before the sea took it away.

Taking it in her hand she saw that it carried the Tyrell emblem "It's not possible." Arianne told herself as she looked at the unconscious man lying on the beach. This is her betrothed, Wills Tyrell. If she leaves him here to die, the alliance will no longer be made, and she will be free. But then her father will surely give her in marriage to another. Perhaps if she tries to save him, he will be grateful, and to thank her he will renounce to the marriage.

Returning to him, she began to drag him towards her mare. "I'll try to save you, but no one should know you're here," Arianne said out loud, more to herself than to the man. She couldn't take him to Sunspear because it was full of guards, and she couldn't ask the Maester to help him, because by doing, so she wouldn't have the chance to talk to him before he talks to her father. There was only one place where she could hide him and where no one would find him. Then, putting her mare on her knees, she placed the man on her back, and then she too climbed up, riding toward a cave near Sunspear, where she hid as a child to escape the guards, her brothers, and the many cousins. No one knew of that hiding place.

When she got there, she brought her mare in too.

Laying him down on a blanket that was there, Arianne began to light a fire and After lighting it, she brought the man closer to the fire and began to tear off his shirt that was under his tunic and was greeted by an excellent vision. He was a rather muscular man, with beautiful abdominal. She shook her head 'Arianne, stay focused'.

The wound on his side had to be cauterized otherwise the blood would continue to flow. She was certainly not a Master, but she knew that this would cause his death. As the Sand Snakes had taught her, she took the dagger that the man had on his back and put it on fire. After it was hot, she took the dagger and put it on his side to cauterize the wound. There was an unbearable smell of burning flesh. The man began to scream.

"Shhh... You have to be quiet or someone might hear it." She then directed her attention to his leg and I also cauterized that wound.

Sighing, she said to herself, "Look what I have to do. Saving the man I was going to marry and who was going to make me lose my throne. "

Now he couldn't do anything else, just wait. When she returns to Sunspear, she will have to go to the Master's studio to get some bandages.

She sat down next to the man with her arms around her knees and watched him. He was a handsome man of her age and if she didn't lose her right to the throne, he would certainly be a good pastime.

She heard a bird cry and looking towards the entrance to the cave, she saw a falcon. And it was also very beautiful. "Is he your master?" Arianne asked and saw him coming towards the man.

"Good! Now I'm talking to the birds."

Outside the sun was starting to set, and she laid down on the blanket next to the man saying to the falcon, " Soon I will have to leave and you will need to look after your master.

After a while she stood up, looked at the man and saw that he was still breathing, so he was alive. Taking her mare, she began to head towards Sunspear, and when she arrived at the city gates, a guard said, "Princess Arianne. Your father summoned you."

What will he want now? When she arrived in the hall everyone has gathered already. There were Oberyn, her brothers, Ellaria and some of her cousins, and guards.

Looking toward her father she saw that he was very angry, "What did you do, Arianne? Who did you hire?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The Prince's ship was attacked near our coasts by three Dornish ships. No survivors. So I'm asking you again. Who did you hire to attack that ship?"

"Do you think it was me?" Arianne asked in disbelief.

"You are the only one who would have gained from the death of the prince" yelled her father "Who did you seduce to do it? Was it Deamon?"

"I didn't do anything. And I didn't hire anybody," Arianne said, gritting her teeth. Then, smirking, she added, " It seems that there is someone in your kingdom who doesn't agree with the way you rule and above all that you take the right to the throne from the legitimate heir. "

Her father looked at her with such anger that she had never seen him before. "Oberyn, send an envoy to the Reach with our condolences and tell them that it was not us who attacked the prince's ship. Then turning to her he said, "I hope you will now be happy that the prince is dead because no doubt they will not believe our emissary and war will break out. But know this, daughter. You will not rule over Dorne. Because now I will have to create another alliance and you will be the price. "

"And I told you I didn't do it," she shouted.

"Get out of my sight. "

"Areo Hota, bring me Daemon's head."

"No! No, Father, please...I haven't had contact with him in a long time. "

"Get out!" he yelled.

Arianne looked one last time at her father and the others and saw that Quentyn had a grin on her face. She began to hate her brother more and more.

Back in her rooms, Arianne had to think of a solution. She knew that if she told her father that the prince was alive, the alliance arrangements would still be legal. She only had to wait a few days. And then she will reveal everything to her father.

Jaime POV

Jaime was lying in bed. He couldn't sleep. Outside, the sun was about to rise and in a few hours, he would leave for the front with the Kingdom of the Reach.

Next to him slept his beautiful wife. With her back bare and only a sheet covering her butt. They really had a wonderful night, and Jaime knows it might be the last one she spends with her.

Jaime was a soldier and knew that no matter how good you are, you could be killed in war.

Leaning toward her, he started kissing her on the shoulders and putting her hair behind the ear.

Ellyn Reyne was a beautiful woman, perhaps the most beautiful woman in Westerland after Cersei. She had golden hair, hazel eyes, and a fair complexion. And that body that would make anyone envious. Two beautiful breasts, well-proportioned, not big but not even small. When his father told him that he would marry Ellyn, he was a little skeptical.

Even if he had renounced to Cersei a long time ago, he didn't know if he would fall in love again. One thing was certain about Cersei. Their relationship was toxic, and it would have destroyed both of them.

But when he first saw Ellyn, he was struck by her, and he was almost certain that he was falling in love. However, it was her personality that conquered him completely. She was a strong, determined woman of great character and ambition. And she loved him and their children with all her heart. She gave him three. One boy and two girls. Gerion, their eldest son, who was just like his grandfather, Joanna, and Myranda, who were twins and were just over twelve years old. But Jaime still hoped that she would give him more children. Holding another newborn in his arms would be such a joy, and watching as his wife's belly growing.

As he got up, he went to the balcony to watch the sun rise over the sea. It was really a beauty. He would not trade Castely Rock for any other castle in Westeros.

Closing his eyes he took air from the sea and then felt soft hands hugging him around his waist and soft lips kissing him, the shoulder blades of his back.

"I thought you were sleeping?"

"I did, but you weren't there when I woke up. Then I looked towards the balcony and saw you in all your glory. And a desire raised in me." Then whispering in his ear she said, "I want you inside me, husband."

As he turned towards her, he kissed her on the lips and touched her ass with his hands. She put her arms around his neck and then climbed into his arms.

Continuing to kiss her, he took her to bed, making her lean on her back and continuing to kiss her, he began to massage her clit, and he felt her hand going down to his cock beginning to stroke him. After some minutes, he put away her hand and take his cock to her entrance. He rubbed the head at her entrance to tease. She was already wet, and so he began pushing himself inside her, slowly. She gasped and arched her spine, closing her eyes.

He began the movement slowly, thrusting deeper and deeper inside, with her hand on his ass, encouraging, until she took him fully.

Then he began to thrust faster and faster, and she began to moan when he squished her breast and her nipples.

After some time the rhythm of his thrusts was lost "I'm going to cum soon," but she flipped him to his back and began to ride him, like never before. Faster and Faster, he closes his eyes and brings one hand to Ellyen's breast squeezing, and the other reaches down to find the swollen nub and rubbing it. After some other thrusts, he spilled his seed inside her, and she collapsed on top of him, breathless. His fingers began tracing up and down on her spine.

As they were hugging each other and catching their breath, Jaime said, looking her in the eyes and caressing her face, "I love you more than anything in this world. Even more than this kingdom."

"And I love you," she replied, leaning and kissing him on the lips with passion, and then putting her head on his chest.

"So what do you think of Myrcella?" said Jaime. His niece was a beautiful good girl and looked the opposite of Cersei. But of course, appearances could always be deceiving.

"She's a lovely girl. A good bride for Gerion. Maybe she's a little weak on character, but you never know. I've only known her for a few days."

"Will you go with them to Castamere, or will you wait for me here?"

"I'm going to Castamere with Gerion. And after all, after the death of my father and brothers by the hands of the Ironborns, someone has to take care of it, if Gerion were to always move between the capital and his castle.

And I will also have to teach my daughter-in-law the customs of that land."

"Ellyn. Be nice to her. She is young, and she doesn't have our life experience, yet."

"I will be. Don't worry. "

"It's time for me to get up," Jaime said, trying to rise, but she wouldn't let him go, and even she got on top of him, blocking him and kissing his chest.

"I don't want you to leave. Who will give me pleasure, and who will hug me at night when I'm cold.

"Just think of me, and you'll feel as if I were here."

After a while, she pulled herself off him, and then he went to get dressed.

After putting on his tunic, he returned to his bed and kissed her, and then walked out the door and headed for the armory.

"Squire! Bring me my armor."

After wearing it, he went to the throne room.

"Father. I am ready."

"Remember the plan, Jaime."

"Wait at the border with the troops until I receive your raven."

"When the Tyrells send part of their army to Dorne, you will cross the border and conquer Goldengrove. I will send the second army to the Shield islands, where it will land and together we will march on Highgarden. Our allies of the Reach will help us, blocking the armies that will return to the capital. "

"But the Shield Islands will see our ships on the horizon and light up the signals."

"No. They want, because, they will be dead. I've already infiltrated mercenaries and our men there."

" Good!" Looking down and then back to his father Jaime said "So it's true. Randyll Tarly has secretly joined us."

"Yes. After Mace Tyrell rejected the proposal of marriage made, first between Willas and Talla, and then between Dickon and Margery. After this offense, he sent me a raven, assuring me that he will swear allegiance to us. In return, he will become Warden of the South and your daughter Myranda will marry Dickon Tarley."

"But father, she's only 12 years old."

"So what? She' s a woman already. The only thing that matters is the survival of the house. Nothing more. The individual members don't matter." Jaime nodded even though he didn't like it very much if his daughters were offered at such a tender age. Ellyn won't like this, and Jaime fears a confrontation between his father and his wife. She was the proud red lioness of Castamere, ready to protect her children, and she didn't fear his father. That is something she and Cersei had in commune.

"Father. Don't say anything about this to my wife until it's all safe."

" Of course. Now go. The army is waiting for you."

"What! Don't you accompany me to the gates?"

"No. I have other things to do. Now go."

Jaime nodded and left the throne room giving Tyrion one last look. He also felt a strange sadness, knowing that his father didn't even accompany him to the gates. This could be the last time they see each other and he remains cold.

Once outside the fortress he saw that his real family were waiting for him, and smiled.

"My daughters."

"Father!"

"Listen to your mother while I'm away, understood," Jaime said, lowering himself and kissing their heads.

Then he hugged Gerion and whispered, "Protect your mother while I'm gone. She will come with you to Castamere, so behave yourself well."

Then he went to his wife. He saw that she had tears in her eyes, and he wiped them with his thumb and said, "You know I've always come back from the battles." And she smiled. Kissing her on the lips he said, "I'll return also this time." And putting his hand on her belly he said, "I hope you're pregnant. That will bring me much joy." He kissed her one last time and then climbed on his horse and galloped with his escort to his army at Silverhill.

In the North...

Jon POV

Jon was heading toward the courtyard. He needed to train and to clear his head. He had a lot on his mind. The wildlings arrived at the wall but are waiting for who knows what. He had instructed GreatJon to keep the men behind the wall and keep an eye on the southern side of the wall. Robb was stuck in what looked like a storm from the North. And it was a week away from the Wall.

And then there was the awkward situation with Daenerys. Even if they slept in the same bed, Jon tried not to touch or hug her while they slept. Now they slept with their backs towards each other. And neither of them mentioned what happened. They had small conversations and each one walked their way.

But the day she started training and wearing those skinny clothes. Old Gods, it was a splendor, evidencing her curves and especially her ass.

He shook his head not to think about it and saw Ghost appearing next to him.

Jon put his hand on his head "Hello, boy. When are you going to get active with Nymeria?"

Once he arrived at the courtyard, Jon saw that his guard was already there.

"Winter is coming and yet there's this hot sun," said Benjen. And Jon chuckled.

"Who wants to train with me? Even two," Jon said, taking two swords of training.

The Karstark brothers came forward.

They took their position, while Jon took his, while spinning his swords, just like Artur often did, and waiting for them to attack.

Torrhen was the first one to attack, striking from his right side. Jon parried it. When he did that, Jon saw with the tail of his eyes, Eddard arriving from the left and swinging his sword with precision, but Jon quickly deflected Eddard's strike. Between the two brothers, Eddard was the strongest and most skilled warrior because Torrhen was more hotheaded. But their loyalty was unquestioned.

They repeatedly attacked him with their training swords, but he continued to deflect their attacks. Arthur always told him to wait for the right moment to attack. When the right time had come Jon blocked Torrhen, making him drop his sword to the ground, and knocking him down.

When Torrhen was down, Eddard tried to take advantage of it by attacking fast strikes, but Jon disarmed him and pointed his training sword to his neck with a smile.

" Well done Jon." Arthur said, "I see you put my advice to work, but always remember. In battle, you're not one on one, you're one against all. You may not have noticed but you made a mistake, and that would have caused your death in battle. Remember that."

Jon nodded. And he went to get some water to drink, while he watched the other training.

Arthur approached him, and put his hand on his shoulder "I hope I wasn't very harsh with you, your grace."

"No, it's okay. I'm still young and I have a lot to learn. But I don't want you to think I'm stupid."

"I never thought that, Your Grace. If you were, you would never be king. And above all the Old Gods would never have given you that power."

Jon smiled.

"How things are with your wife. "

Jon sighed putting down the cup "We don't talk much, and after the accident that happened two days ago, I tried not to touch her. Even if I desire her ardently, Arthur." Jon sighed feeling that fire again and the desire he felt for her rose again, but he tried to suppress it "You haven't seen how scared and frightened she was after what happened. When I woke up and saw her out of the bed with her arms around her waist and eyes widened, I didn't know what was going on, but seeing my condition, I was embarrassed. I was sure that it would happen, and I tried to resist..."

Arthur chuckled and said, "Jon, that's not something you can prevent. You can hold on as long as you want but it will happen anyway. Especially because you're in love with her."

"And how do you know these things?"

"It doesn't matter but do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I do. But when she will know what I did in Astapor, will she think that I am a monster or a savior. Maybe she' ll run away at that point. Not wanting to waste her life with a monster."

"Astapor deserved that, and one day you'll have to tell her. But the most important thing is that your enemies fear you."

"Fear me? King Tywin Lannister doesn't fear anyone, and certainly, he is not afraid of a young boy."

"Well, he'll regret it. Right?"

"Oh, you don't know how much," replied Jon smirking. "I've already set the trap for him if he marches towards the North. And soon I'm going to expose his allies as well."

"What?" Arthur asked intrigued.

Then Jon leaned next to his ear and whispered, "My spies have informed me that they have intercepted letters sent by Lady Catelyn, to Dorne, Vale, and Riverlands. And the Bolton sent to Westerlands. After the recent revelations, provided by Lord Aerys and Daenerys, I sent my spies to The Dreadfort and to the Bastardsfort, of House Naaharis. It's only a matter of time before they make a mistake, giving me the opportunity to punish them."

"And the South?"

"Moat Cailin has been warned, and especially Howland Reed is ready for any attack. As well as the coasts."

"So they think you're weak and you don't know about their plans."

" Exactly. A wolf in disguise Arthur," responded Jon patting Arthur's shoulder "a wolf in disguise."

After a while, he saw Arya and Daenerys coming in the same dress. And Jon tried to stay focused. But it wasn't that he could do it that well.

"Can we join you? Daenerys needs to train."

Jon nodded and said to himself, looking towards the sky 'Old Gods, you want me dead,'

"Would you like to train with me, brother?"

"I think Daenerys needs more than me."

Arya got into attacking him and Jon parried, but he wasn't focused, knowing that Daenerys was watching him.

After a while, Arya managed to disarm him.

Well done, sister, and she smirked. " Now you can train with Dany" and Jon returned to Arthur, who shook his head.

Leaning against the table Jon heard Arthur say, "You weren't focused."

Jon chuckled "You can blame me. Knowing that Dany was gurgling at me, I couldn't get her out of my head in that dress.

Now it was Jon's turn to look at her, and it was really a vision.

"Arthur, she will be the end of me," Jon said, looking at Daenerys and Arthur patted his shoulder.