Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or anything related. It belongs to George R.R. Martin, the creator of this wonderful universe and David Benioff and D. B. Weiss who created the show.

Chapter Four: Welcome Feast.

Stepping into the banquet hall, Oberyn admired how the hall had been decorated and he was rather surprised that his brother had put so much effort into welcoming the lady to their court. The hall was filled and Oberyn was sure that many had come to see what his future bride looked like; whispers had already reached his ears that her arrival had been uneventful.

However, most had agreed that Lady Amara was a beautiful woman and one had even heard whisper to him that she was more beautiful than Ellaria had ever been. Oberyn wasn't sure what to make of the whispers that had come to his ears, he was rather curious about the woman that everyone in the palace seemed to be talking about since his engagement had been announced.

His attention was pulled from his thoughts by Ellaria, she approached him with a smile on her face and kissed him; she cared not if his bride-to-be saw this. Anything to drive a wedge between them before they had even met was good for her; she didn't want Oberyn to marry some high-born girl just because his brother demanded it.

"My love," Ellaria whispered taking his arm, she smiled at him pleased that he had not gone straight to his brother's side; she only offered Doran a glance to see if he was watching. The disapproving look that was offered in return did nothing to stop Ellaria, she was determined to make it clear that she was the one that mattered most even if Oberyn married.

"I was hoping that we could take a trip to the Water Gardens, the girls would love it so," Ellaria whispered to him, a smile forming on her face as she thought of her daughters and she knew that she would fight until the end for their sake. There was no way that she would stand aside and allow some other woman to take what was rightfully hers; she had been by his side for years and this was not what she had expected to happen. It was meant to be her, it was always meant to be her that stood by Oberyn's side and now she would be pushed to the side and recognised as not his paramour but his whore, his mistress that had to be hidden away from his wife.

"I am sure something can be arranged," Oberyn replied simply, he couldn't bring himself to look to Ellaria as his eyes swept the room wondering which lady here was the one that would be his bride. None seemed to appeal to him and Oberyn wondered if maybe Lady Amara wasn't as beautiful as people had told him. Ellaria smiled at his words, pleased that he would come away with her to the gardens and not stay here where he would likely become distracted by the other woman.

However, her smile flattered slightly when Doran caught his brother's eye and signalled for him to approach; she wasn't welcome at the high table now and she doubted she ever would be again. Staring at his brother for a moment, Oberyn nodded only once before he kissed the top of Ellaria's head and made his way over to the table where his brother watched the banquet.

"You were missed this morning," Doran mused sipping on his wine, his eyes sweeping the banquet hall as Oberyn took a seat beside him; he was rather pleased that Ellaria seemed to understand her place now. He was sure that his brother's paramour was upset with how things had turned out, she had loyally been by Oberyn's side for many years now and was the mother of four of his daughters.

However, things had to change, and it would not do for her to come to the high table now that Oberyn was to be married; Ellaria needed to learn her place was no longer by Oberyn's side. Raising an eyebrow to his brother, Oberyn said nothing instead he looked around the room; his eyes sweeping the gathering trying to see if he could spot his bride-to-be, who he still could not see. He had spent the morning with Ellaria and their daughters instead of coming to greet his bride-to-be; he honestly didn't know why he had to be there, it wasn't like Doran would change his mind on the marriage should he not like her.

"I was with my children," Oberyn replied leaning back in his seat, his eyes resting on Ellaria who was staring quite intently back at him wanting him to return to her; she had been kind enough to distract him from his impending nuptials. He didn't quite understand why Doran had made this decision, it shouldn't matter that he had no legitimate children when it was through Doran's line that the throne would pass.

Doran opened his mouth to reprimand his brother when his eyes caught on the arrival of Lady Amara and her ladies; he paused for a second taking in her chosen outfit for the banquet and he wasn't the only one that had noticed. People started to whisper as they watched her, this wasn't what they had expected her to dress for the welcome feast that was being thrown for her.

Whispers of her beauty had spread far through the palace, yet if she was so beautiful none could understand why she would choose to hide behind a veil that only revealed her eyes. Holding her head high, Amara ignored the whispers that surrounded her; a smile on her face knowing that Oberyn would have no idea who he was dealing with or what lay ahead for him. Approaching the table where Doran and his family were seated, Amara's eyes swept the people seated there; her eyes catching on the one person that she had yet to meet and the one that mattered most.

"My Lady," Doran greeted, he couldn't help but feel rather amused by the fact that she had decided to do something like this. The only part of her that could be seen was her eyes while her veil concealed everything else and Doran could only imagine what Oberyn was thinking about this; he was sure that the lady had planned this because he hadn't been there to greet her that morning. He smiled at her glad to see that she wasn't letting Oberyn get the best of her; he was sure that Oberyn was about to meet his match and that he had chosen wisely when it came to choosing a bride for Oberyn.

"Allow me to introduce my brother, Prince Oberyn Martell," Doran said looking to Oberyn, who looked rather uninterested in the situation; he imagined that his brother thought that if he sulked enough that he would change his mind about the marriage. However, Amara would be a fine bride for Oberyn and he had a feeling that she would be able to handle the Red Viper better than any other in the court; he was sure that he would see great things from her.

"It is an honour, my prince… I have heard a great deal about you," Amara said offering a slight curtsy, she lowered her eyes only slightly before she looked right back at him. The feeling of triumph filled her at the look of confusion that filled Oberyn's face, she had known that her choice would throw him, and she was glad that it had. She was already planning her wedding gown carefully and Oberyn wouldn't know what hit him when she walked down the aisle to greet him on their wedding day.

"The honour is mine, my lady," Oberyn replied, his eyes wandering over the cloth that covered his bride from head to toe; he sat back in his chair not entirely sure what to make of the fact that she was dressed as such. He started to wonder if maybe the rumours had greatly exaggerated about how beautiful she was; if they were true then she would not be dressed as she was now.

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