Rebekah was ashamed she was actually hiding. It was a quiet spot at the sea, avoided by most ladies because someone had to climb down a rocky path to reach it. The place was hidden by high trees, and with their the cool shadows falling on the rocks she could almost imagine being in the Westerlands.
With a swift movement, Rebekah cast away her shoes and walked into the wet sands. Soft waves crashed against her feet and Rebekah rallied her dress so that the ends stayed dry.
She was enjoying the silence until she heard soft boots on the ground.
- „Prince Oberyn." She greeted, trying to hide her annoyance. Why did always something interrupt her calm moments.
- „Mylady. What a welcome sight." He said as if he had walked by her by coincidence. His robe was yellow with little golden suns embroided and stood out against his short black hair and small beard. Rebekah had to admit he was handsome. And although other men were certainly considered more handsome, Oberyn had something they hadn't. Charisma and danger, mixed with passion and sensibility worked like the perfect lure on most women.
-„I did not know you come to this place too. I will let you to your thoughts." Rebekah said and walked out of the water. She never believed a second that this encounter wasn't planned as well and made a short mental note to ask Varys who exactly was spying for Oberyn.
-„No, no, please stay." He opened his arms and smiled. Rebekah nodded and sat down on the rocks and let the Prince join her.
-„I want to apologize." Oberyn said and Rebekah widened her eyes. This was truly unexpected. She stayed quiet and waited for him to continue. „It was wrong to provoke you the way I did the first time we met. I admit, a few of my friends kept an eye on you and saw you walking into Rona's brothel... forgive me, mylady, I was very straight forward and it surely made no good impression of me."
-„I forgive you. My behaviour wasn't appropriate either." Rebekah said softly. Maybe he would leave her alone if she accepted his apology.
Oberyn chuckled lightly.
-„I guess that happens when two people with a temper meet. I should have told you from the beginning who I am, yet it was very entertaining to see you treat me like I was a simple dornishman."
Rebekah looked up from the sea and offered him a smile. „I never thought you to be a simple dornishman my Prince."
-„I'm curious, who do you thought I'd be?" he asked returning her smile with a grin. Rebekah shrugged. „My first idea was actually very stupid... I suspected you to be one of Varys' spies."
Oberyn stroke his chin, a gesture she had often seen on him. In an amusing way, it reminded her that he wasn't only the Viper, a fighter with incredible skills, but also a very educated former member of the Citadel.
-„A spy? I like the idea of it..." he cleared his throat before adding: „You and Elia would have made great friends. When we were children, she told stories about knights, pirates, princesses, dragons and spies. Soon, every child in the watergardens began to ask Elia for another story. My sister had a talent for making the words come to live through her voice and hands. Sometimes, she included her audience in her stories, and I would become a brave fighter, a travelling merchant in love with a princess or one of the dragon kings. Thanks to Elia's imagination I could become everything I wanted, but I always preferred being a fearless spy."
He added and Rebekah heart the mixture of sadness and anger when he spoke about his sister.
For a moment, Rebekah tried to imagine things if Elia Martell was still alive and Rhaegar had never fled with Lyanna Stark. Maybe Elia would be queen by now with Rhaegar instead of Joffrey on the throne. There would not be such hatred between Martells and Lannisters...
Oberyn may even married Cersei Lannister, which as an odd pairing. Rebekah smiled to herself and Oberyn caught her.
-„People always say my sister was sickly and delicate, but behind her sweet appearance she hid a clever mind and strong heart. Rhaegar should never have left her behind." He said bitterly and Rebekah met his dark eyes. „Elia was burdened with the task of being princess, mother and wife in a loveless marriage. But she had you, Prince Oberyn. People tend to underestimate the powerful bond between siblings" She said softly, moved by the Prince's sudden sadness.
-„So you understand why I still seek for revenge?" he asked and moved a bit closer to her.
-„My brother was murdered too. I believe it was my stepfather, but I have no prove. Anyway, I wish I could make the killer pay for killing Roran. I understand..." her voice broke away. „Tell me what will there be left once Roran is avenged? He will still be gone." She whispered and felt the urge to cry. Yet she had to hold tears back infront of the Red Viper.
-„Tell me about your brother." Oberyn said softly and took her hand. Rebekah gulped as the warm skin touched hers.
-„Roran was very calm, always serious and thoughtful. I believe he had much trouble with me and Dewan. But he was protective of us, especially after we lost our mother. He's the kind of person who is way older in wisdom than in age." She said and smiled at the memories.
For a moment, Oberyn Martell wasn't the frightening, annoying Viper anymore. He possessed kindness and compassion most people in King's Landing lacked.
-„I think I like you much more this way, Prince Oberyn." She said teasingly and pushed away the sad thoughts of Roran.
-„Ahh, most people don't even get to know me this way." Oberyn answered lightly.
-„Then I feel very honored."
Instead of answering, Oberyn simply watched her thoughtfully as she draw little circles in in the sand with her finger.
-„You mean what you say." He said with surprise and Rebekah frowned in confusion. „Of course I do, my prince. I may be very outspoken and rude but I do not flatter or lie." She explained.
-„Promise me you'll always be this honest to me." Oberyn said, letting her hand go and stroking over her knee through the fabric of her dress. Rebekah looked into his eyes and nodded. „I promise."
-„I can repay your kindness with a favor, myylady." His hand slowly moved higher towards her thigh, pulling the dress up in process. Rebekah's breath accelerated and she allowed herself a single heartbeat to actually enjoy the Viper's touch. Then she knew she had to stop it.
Her hand catched his and Oberyn chuckled lightly at her puzzled look. „As innocent as the maiden herself." He muttered and Rebekah rolled her eyes.
„My Prince, you have made me cry, blush and talk about my feelings in very short time, I believe that is enough for now."
Oberyn took her hand again and bend his head to press a light kiss on it while his eyes continued to stare at her. „There's no need to call me by my title, love." He said and Rebekah shrugged. Oberyn released her hand.
-„Is there no other way I can repay you? I heard your vicious stepfather came into the capitol. He must be scarier than the Mountain if you hide here from him."
-„He is the one who wanted to give me to the Mountain in the first place." Rebekah muttered-
-„Does he want to kill you?" Oberyn asked casually, but Rebekah detected something else in his voice she could not quite place.
-„Probably. He wants vengeance for me breaking his nose and humiliating him, but mostly he wants to secure his inheritance of our holdings."
-„But you are not the heir? In Dorne you would be..." Oberyn noticed and raised an eyebrow.
-„Indeed. For Mycah, I'm just an obstacle."
-„Maybe there's a way to get rid of him. A subtle, clean and quick way to end all your problems." Oberyn mused and Rebekah slowly catched the meaning of his words.
The kind friend was replaced by the deadly Viper again, Rebekah thought.
Yet she wasn't a snake. Poison would certainly make things easier, and Rebekah may be short-tempered but not as far as she would let Mycah be poisened without knowing the full truth.
-„Although I appreciate the idea, I think the late husband of my mother deserves at least a proper trial."
Oberyn looked genuinely dissapointed. „Ahh, you and your honor again. What about that sellsword? I've seen how he looked at you. Cutthroaths like him can be as dangerous as the Mountain and he won't refrain the enjoyment of your touch because you ask him nicely like I did."
Rebekah stood up to look down at Oberyn. „No, no!" she exclaimed and glanced angrily at him. „Bronn never bothered me. He saved my life and if he wanted to hurt or dishonor me, he would already taken the opportunity."
-„I knew there was something between you!" Oberyn smiled like a child who just solved a hard riddle and clapped his hands.
-„You are mistaken, Oberyn." The Dornishman cocked his eyebrow. „Do you really want to lecture me on desire and love? I believe I'm a bit more experienced than you are, my love."
Rebekah sighed in defeat. Oberyn was right.
-„I neither desire nor love him." She protested but Oberyn slowly shook his head. „But you would not let me kill him, wouldn't you? The way you dance with him, the way you speak of him is more than just your usual kindness. And the sellsword... let's say I alway know what other men want."
Oberyn removed himself from the rock and kissed Rebekah on the cheek. „I could unburden you of all men making your life miserable and show you delights beyond your imagination. Just say you want me to." He whispered into her ear, his cheek brushing hers, before he left her alone at the shores of Blackwater.
I hope you enjoyed this little encounter with Oberyn ;) Please tell me what you think, reviews are a great motivation to go on writing!
xoxo & Liebe Grüße