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Chapter 8

To say that she was surprised should not be underestimated; Arya had thought about this.

Music is smooth as the lute's players from Dornish songs in the princess lands. The princess had arranged a banquet in her honor on the fields of Kingslanding within the Red's keep.

Sansa, Jeyne, Septa Mordane, Arya, and Princess Arianne Martell, are guarded by her cousin and a member of the sand snakes called Tyene Sand, daughter of Prince Oberyn Martell.

Arianne's guards plus Jason's men had been hunting that afternoon. They brought fine pigs, stags, and birds for the meal.

The three women, such as Septa Mordane, moved up to Jeyne the Sansa sat across at the banquet table. The princess was on the other side along with Arya, discussing womanly matters when the men approached with their pickings from the hunt.

Princess Arianne rose from the table to greet the men, particularly Ser Daemon Sand, her pale pink colored dress floating around her gracefully as she made her way to her guest.

Ser Daemon Sand, known as the Bastard of God's grace, is the bastard son of Ser Ryon Allyrion, the heir of House Allyrion. The knight is one of Dorne's finest swords.

Daemon is handsome, with a strong jaw, sky blue eyes, and light sandy brown hair. He has a close-cropped beard, and dimples appear when he smiles.

Everyone knows that Daemon was the first to take princess Arianne's maidenhead, and Doran said nothing about it. However, Jason questioned Arianne about this situation with no judgment.

'If that is your desire, then you shall have it. Thou, I suggest that you enjoy your life while you can, for marriage is like a prison set for life.'

Arianne couldn't understand, but Jason was born out of wedlock. Indeed, he must have someone he loved above all else.

Perhaps, he sees marriage as a prison then love.

Now Princess Arianne knows that once she is married to her intended. Ser Daemon would be separated from her to protect her from any rumors that might disrupt her one job. Give birth to two heirs. One belongs to her husband's house and another to be heir to Martell's house.

It is a risky move, but Jason's words are logical enough to protect her right to rule the house.

"We know that even though daughters would never inherit their father's lands, it doesn't mean that your son would rule your house. If not princess of Dorne, why not be called the "Prince's mother" to be empowered and respected higher than any other titles in Dorne."

Arianne is so moved and never thought of it like that. She became more eager and determined to be called like that.

Yes, she may not be Princess of Dorne as she had always hoped to be, but to be in more powerful positions like the "Prince's mother" has a much better power to have and control.

The food is spicy, just the way they liked it. Mustard seeds and dragon peppers while they bring their famous Dornish red wine. Plus, they put meat given by their men who hunted just for them. Roasted, grilled, and boiled.

Notes: I decided to base them on Central Asian cuisines and Indian food, like meat curry, Fried Manti, Meat Laghman, Sausages, and kebabs. Side dishes are Fodni Bhaat (Fried rices Indian style), Bise Bele Bhath, Thukpa (Noodle Soup), Dumplings rice, walnuts, and cut melons.

Judging by this, the proper ladies noted sarcasm from both Arya and Arianne. Sees that it was a more muscular taste and tries to eat them with manners.

Now that it seems to be going smoothly, it is noticeable that Arya seems to like Fodni Bhaat and holds the curry very healthy and well.

'How unusual for a northern girl to enjoy such delicacy of Drone's specialty.' Arianne, puzzled, looked yet pleased.

The wolves startled both Arianne and her men (Both Jason's and Dornishmen), but as long they feed them good meat of stag, all is well.

"How do you like the meals as per custom and hospitality from Dorne?" Arianne calmly said to them.

"It's um…." Sansa started. "Interesting."

Jeyne ate something spicy, making her unladylike gesture by panting and sticking out her tongue to cool it down.

Arianne giggles at that sight. It seems these northern girls don't know how to eat anything spicy.

'How pitiful.'

Arya bluntly said, "How long had you known Jason?"

Arianne is quite amused yet annoyed at the same time.

Instead, it is refreshing that she is bold. Annoyed that she pulled no punches when it came to business.

"Well," Arianne ignored the other ladies that said, "Arya!" to "Young lady!"

"It was years ago when I had received news that we will host a Lannister to Dorne…." Arianne started off her story.


Poor little Arianne once suffered from red spots and was a chubby little girl. She knew she was insecure about her appearance and flat-chested.

"Riders from House of Lannister coming to Sunspear!"

'Seven hells!' Arianne thought as she quickly wiped her tears away. She knows that despite that, she has been begging and praying to the sevens to make her beautiful.

No matter the pretty dresses they dress her, they don't seem to compliment her.

There came the men such as knights as if they came from stories.

Arianne did her best not to shiver or cringe in fear at the sight of the lions.

'If only that stag king gives us justice for what they did!' She furiously thought as she watched from afar along with her siblings.

Everyone had told her of how cruel the Baratheon king was, how King Robert had allowed the death of her aunt and cousins to go unpunished. She could not understand how anyone could let such a thing go without justice. Not only were her cousins children, but her aunt was also a princess. There was supposed to be a certain level of decorum, even among enemies.

"This is Lord Tywin's grandson and heir," She heard a man announce him, and her once dull eyes sparkled at the sight of him!

The Black Lion.

He was a young and fit boy. Long lusciously dark hair and strong jaw. Those Marron's eyes felt something to be scared or excited.

"Jason of House of Lannister."

Arianne nibbled her lips as if she wanted to hold down her squeal or scream at the sight of this handsome boy.

She couldn't stop shivery at him and when it was her turn to be introduced. That was when she realized what is not beautiful at all compared to herself.

She felt her hand was touched and lifted to kiss it.

"A pleasure, princess of Dorne."

Arianne blushed heavily at these gestures.


"I fell for him like a bolt of lightning." Arianne squealed excitedly. If only her father and uncle weren't such bullheaded morons, she would have gladly given up her place as princess of Dorne to be Lady Lannister.

But alas, no such talk at all.

So, no marriage to Jason means she won't give up her rights to rule Dorne.

Arya looked jealous but judging by the other ladies, they looked shocked and surprised by the Black Lion's action.

"He may look all mean or cold heartless. Yet it makes me feel more eager to see him and talk to him more than ever. He hardly mentions my appearance, or rather, he focuses on my mind as it seems more intrigued for him."

She told them, but she could tell the two young girls, Sansa and Jeyne, seemed disbelief about her words.

"I continued following him around and tried to make him pay attention to me. At first, I worried if I bothered him too much, but he didn't mind and would seek me out under the pretense that it was quiet here with me."

Arianne remembers how she was excited and nervous about bringing him into her private chambers, yet he didn't seem bothered or minded. He would place her head on his lap, and she would listen to his scrolls or enjoy the quietness between the two.

Arianne noticed Arya's slightly jealous and angry look, "Oh, don't worry. Jason is more honorable than you think. Knowing him, he would honor you and his marriage like his life depends on it." the whole company heard the princess laughter from the air.

'After all, I have a better catch for my hand in marriage.' Arianne looked happily at the roses. She is curious if her new family-in-law would like her flowers once she delivers them from Dorne to her new homeland.


Private meeting with King Robert….

Ned was most surprised at being invited by Ser Jason Lannister to go to Robert to settle with the tourney again.

They walked to Robert's private chamber, where Ser Barristan and Ser Jaime were guarding the door.

"Lord Stark and Ser Jason Lannister are here." Ser Barristan quickly knocked on the door and announced their arrival.

"Well! Send them in!" Robert announced behind the door.

Jason walked and took the seat first as Lord Stark followed as well.

"Your grace," Jason nodded to Robert. Ned, for his life of him, could depict his emotionless façade.

"Now, what's this I hear about your plans?' King Robert questioned Jason.

"Princess Arianne Martell is here. Also, her intended husband is the heir to Highgarden, and Lord Willas Tyrell will come before you to bring blessings on his proposal."

Eddard is surprised. "Willas Tyrell?"

"Bah! I forgot to mention that Lannister boy here wanted to bring Dorne back to the foiled again, and Jon agreed with this suggestion."

No doubt, he wanted to piss off the Tyrells, especially the fat oaf, Mace Tyrell.

"Will they agree about this?" Ned questioned them.

Jason answered Ned. "Simple. As Arianne wished to rebel against her father over contacting Targaryen again. I suggested his grace not to do anything with Dorne at all until I received a confirmation that the princess wished to break free from her father's schemes. The king and I agreed that I would choose a husband as long as it was not Lannister. This is why Willas Tyrell and his main supporter Lady Olenna Tyrell had eagerly supported this match for her grandson."

Eddard is shocked that they scheme for this.

"Will Prince Doran go quiet about this? Surely, he had the means for the match for his daughter."

"Fuck the Martell Prince! Let him bitch all he wants. I say his daughter is smarter to remain on my good side." Robert slurred a bit based on his wine.

"I understand your qualms about Dorne, but for peace. We had to intervene and prevent any rebellion with the Targaryens. She told me that she had odd suspicion about the prince calling off any marriage proposal who were too old or young men who got married off if she showed any interest in them." Jason voiced out.

"What is your gain in this?" Ned had to know.

"Simple. If they had a son, I would support that child to be the new Prince of Dorne, and the regent will be I to hold the talks." Jason told him.

'That is rather risky and almost as if I am looking at Tywin Lannister.' The quiet wolf had to admit. He felt that this wasn't Jason he was talking to, but maybe they did mention something true.

He is not Tywin Lannister. He is better than his grandfather.

"Though do we have the right to interfere in their countries affair?" Ned is worried that they might go too far.

"Oh, piss on that! Dorne is part of the seven kingdoms, and they had to come and obey their king!"

Eddard said nothing.

"Now, that is what we agree. Let's begin on the tourney, shall we?" Jason changes the subject quickly.

They discussed more and divided what to do before the tourney for the rest of the day.


Tourney of the Hand

The tourney seemed in order. The sight of many competitors is coming from all of their realms.

Jason had already sent his people to keep a lookout for any signs of trouble. They will deal with it quietly.

'His grace sure like to make an event.' Jason looked around and saw the stands where familiar faces were present.

Royce, Freys, Tarlys, Hightowers, Boltons, and Tyrells are there. Many are eager to fight or instead bring up a good sport with each other.

'I had a bad feeling that this would not last long.' The Black Lion thought to himself.

"Let the Tourney of the Hand begin!"

The crowd cheers as knights get ready to fight.


Reviews are welcome.

Next Chapter: The Tourney of Hand. Ser Loras vs. the Mountain! Mountain vs. the Black Lion!