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Chapter Twenty-Two: Banished from Court.

Sniffling as she clung to her mother, Elia couldn't believe how cruel her uncle was for forcing them to separate; she had not expected this after hearing that her mother was being banished for what Elia had done. At first, she had held hope that meant that they'd leave the Sunspear together and live in her grandfather's keep until Oberyn ordered them to return; she held hope that her father would be outraged by how they were being treated.

I do not wish to go," Elia pleaded shaking her head, pulling back from her mother and looking up at her with tears starting to stream down her face. She did not understand why they couldn't stay together nor why her uncle insisted on sending her to where that horrible woman was from; she just wanted to be with her mother and forget that her father had managed to save Amara. While she did not know how he had managed such a thing, Elia had prayed that the Gods would take her; then her parents could be together like they had always been.

"I know but we must do as we are bid by the Prince," Ellaria told her daughter, she truly wished that things had worked out but she could admit defeat when she needed to. As much as she had loved Oberyn, she knew that she had lost as soon as Elia had done what she had; all fingers had been pointed in her direction and without her deal with Doran then it was likely that someone would have been executed.

Ellaria wasn't sure whether it would have been her or Elia, even Oberyn wouldn't have been able to intercede on their part without facing a backlash. Looking to the carriage that was set to take Elia to Fairmarsh, Ellaria prayed that her daughter would find kindness there; as there were no doubts in her mind exactly why Elia was being sent to Amara's family home.

Her daughter would be a political prisoner in all but name, should Ellaria's father press any claim against the royals or attempt to do what Elia had failed in then there were no doubts to Ellaria that her daughter would come to harm. As much as she wished that Elia could come back to Hellholt with her, it was just not possible and Amara's righthand lady had been tasked with escorting Elia away from Sunspear to Fairmarsh.

Elia would be welcomed by Amara's brother and his wife, who from the letters that Ellaria had intercepted were only interested in what could benefit them from the marriage of Amara to Oberyn. There was no word on how Ammett and Laerra had taken the news that Amara had been poisoned, other than the news that they had accepted Doran's order that Elia would come to stay with them.

Ellaria wasn't stupid, the word that she was too leave court and Elia was being sent to Fairmarsh had already spread throughout the court; there were many to point the finger and there were tales being spun that did not show her family in a good light. Saying goodbye to her youngest children had been hard, they would remain here under the care of Amara and Ellaria hoped the other woman would not do as she would have. If their roles had been reversed then Ellaria would have sort revenge by killing any child that Amara had left in the capital; she would have wanted the other woman to suffer.

"You must be brave now Elia and remember that you are my daughter, nothing will ever change that," Ellaria encouraged cupping her daughter's face, she didn't know when she would see her again and she prayed that this would not be the last time that they saw each other. Brushing her thumbs against Elia's face, she stared at her trying to remember every detail of her face; no painting nor memory would ever do her daughter justice but they would have to do.

"We shall have our revenge mother. That woman will not win," Elia spat, she grabbed onto her mother's wrists and stared up at her; she knew that they would have their chance to unseat Amara and their time would come. Perhaps being in Fairmarsh it would allow her to learn more about the woman and bring about her downfall; then they could return to Oberyn and take their rightful place at his side.

Ellaria couldn't hide the worry that filled her at Elia's words, she feared what she might do and what trouble that might bring to her; she hoped that with some time to cool down that Elia would let her fantasy's die.

Staring out of the window and down to the courtyard where Ellaria and Elia were saying their goodbyes, Oberyn leant against the window frame with his arms crossed; a frown set upon his features as he watched them. His dark eyes following their every move as Elia parted from her mother and walked over to Herit who was waiting by the carriage to take her away; the woman had been far from pleased with the notion that she had to leave Amara right now. However, the task that she had been set had been an important one; one that Oberyn had asked her to do especially since he knew what was at stake.

"I am truly sorry brother," Doran murmured approaching Oberyn, he had feared his response to his decision to send both Ellaria and Elia away from Sunspear; there was no denying that Oberyn was protective of them. However, Doran knew that some sort of punishment had to be passed; they could not allow Amara's poisoning to go unpunished as if was an attack against his family.

"You did the right thing," Oberyn sighed shaking his head, he did not know what he would have done especially given the rage that he had flown into upon hearing that Amara had nearly died by Elia's hand. He might have taught his daughters well, but he had not ever thought that they would turn their abilities on their own family no matter what ill feelings they had towards them.

"How is she?" Doran dared ask, he had not seen his brother truly since Amara had been rushed away; he had sent a messenger to deliver the news of who the culprit was and their punishment. A part of him had feared that Oberyn might kill him, his feeling once having been that strong for Ellaria had calmed it seemed; her actions to protect their daughter only receiving gratitude instead of the ire it once would have.

"She is recovering well, I managed to get her to purge the poison before it could do any real damage," Oberyn stated recalling the night where he would rather not, he had acted quickly and while weak Amara was well. He knew what would have happened if the poison used had stayed in her body, it would not have been a quick death and Oberyn wondered just what Elia had been thinking; his stomach turning at the thought of what could have occurred for Amara.

"Yet you refuse to truly leave her side," Doran noted with a smile, he would not deny that he was pleased how protective Oberyn seemed to be over Amara; he had noticed that both her guards had been dismissed from her side. Though the looks of displeasure from one made Doran even more amused, it appeared his brother was determined to ensure that his wife was truly well protected and safe. In place of the guards that he had dismissed, Oberyn had not been far from her side and in leu of him there were his older daughters who seemed just as displeased with what had happened as he was.

"I am her husband, am I not?" Oberyn mused knowing just what Doran was getting at, he had found himself rather enjoying her company and their talks had been rather interesting. At first Oberyn had not said much but soon he had been asking about her life back at Fairmarsh, her childhood there and about her family; he had liked the smile that she got when she spoke fondly of her parents.

Of course, many had heard the tales of how her lady mother had been a noblewoman from an important house who had married a man far beneath her station. The man quickly being given a title and land in exchange to correct the situation, so he could provide his new bride and the child on the way with a good life; her parents had married for love and that's what Amara had always wanted.

That option had been quickly taken from her by her brother, she had been married off to the highest bidder and Oberyn knew that this marriage was not at all like she had expected. A part of him felt deeply ashamed by how he had treated her, he had shunned and embarrassed her to stroke Ellaria's wounded ego and it had come at a price.

Looking back out of the window at Ellaria as she mounted a horse and took one last look at the place that had been home to her for such a long time; Oberyn swore that he would do better. That no harm would be fall her again because of him and that he would try to make her happy, it was the least she deserved if not his respect; she was not his whore had Ellaria had been and for better or worse, they were in this together.

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