Chapter 2

15 Years Later

Ashara

Ashara poured herself a glass of wine and went out to the balcony. The air of Dorne was chilly and fresh at nights and she enjoyed this feeling of cold in Dorne. The sky was clear and the moon shone brightly. It was a full moon. It was a quiet night, so quiet that she could hear the sea waves crashing at the shore. She enjoyed these peaceful quiet moments where she could just relax. All her day was spent running her household and looking after her family. There was no moment of quiet in this house during the day.

Their house was a lively place with everyone coming in and out all the time. She had her ladies in waiting who somehow had knowledge about everything that went on in the seven kingdoms no matter how trivial and they just had to share it. There were her kids who seemed to be all over the place causing havoc all over. Then there was her husband who would invite men to spar with him. He seemed to enjoy humiliating the people whom he sparred with, choosing to keep fighting and inflicting smaller blows to their bodies until they yielded instead of disarming them straight away. Then he would take a smug bow for the people who would gather to watch them leaving her with calling for maesters, servants and contacting the families of the men he beat.

She had moved here after her wedding to Jaime almost 15 years ago. They had a small wedding ceremony in Dorne with only a handful of people present. They had not wanted to make a big deal out of it because of the losses they had faced in war and because Jaime didn't want his family to know about it who did come to know about it eventually. Her marriage with Jaime began more like an arrangement, a part of the deal Jaime had made with Doran. She still remembered the day the marriage proposal came for her in Starfall. It was the most difficult time for her and her family. They had recently received the news of Arthur's death. Her best friend had been brutally murdered along with her son whom she had held in her arms. If it wasn't for the child sucking at her breasts she would have jumped from the tower long ago. She used to remain in her bed all day and the proposal was the reason she bathed and left her chambers in a long time. Her mother rejoiced at the thought of her getting married and not spending her life alone. Her father was conflicted because of the horrors committed by the Lannisters during the sack of Kings Landing but eventually decided to accept because the proposal was from Elia's brother, Prince Doran himself and because of her mother's nagging about the wealth of the Lannisters. Nobody had once asked her what she wanted or what would happen to her daughter.

Two days before their wedding, she had asked to meet with Jaime alone in the water gardens. He was hoping to find a silly girl wanting to walk around the beautiful gardens with her betrothed but was surprised to see her standing there with firm defiance in her eyes and a small child in her arms. She had told him that she would marry him only if he would allow little Jasmine to live with her. Jaime looked closely into Jasmine's cold grey eyes and nodded. She had never felt more relief in her life than at that moment. Her father had forbidden her from talking about Jasmine in front of anyone, thinking it would ruin her reputation. He had proposed to raise her as his bastard daughter but Ashara wouldn't have it. She kept her daughter close to her. She knew that people outside of Dorne frowned upon having bastards but that didn't stop her from carrying Jasmine in her arms during the feast thrown in the honor of the Hightowers, or seating Jasmine next to other high born children on their visit to Highgardern. She had heard rumors that she loved Jasmine more than her other children but she always dismissed them as the disdain of people towards bastards. She knew it in her heart that she loved all her children equally.

Jason was their first-born son. He was born a year and a half after their wedding. Jaime had initially wanted to wait a while before having kids until they got familiar with each other but Jason came as a surprise to both of them. A wonderful surprise. His birth brought Jaime and her closer than before. Jason had grown up to be just like his father. The only difference was his eyes which he got from Ashara. He was a strong man who was well trained in sword fighting. He completes his lessons with the maester without complains which surprises Jaime who believed his son would hate reading books just like him. He spent most of his time with Rhaenys. The two were almost inseparable. Rhaenys treated him like her younger brother that she lost. She said that he has the same eyes as her little Aegon.

Joanna was her second child with Jaime born four years after Jason. They had named her after his mother because he told her that she reminded him of her. She had a beautiful face with blond hair and violet haunting eyes just like Ashara. Many believed that she would grow up to be a great beauty just like her mother and aunt. Joanna, however, chose not to spend her time in her room dreaming of a high born lord but rather playing in the dirt with the sand snakes much to Jaime's horror. Her daughter had always been very outspoken and bold. She would light up every room she went in. She did not act like other high born girls. She had strong opinions and had no problems in letting them known to everyone. Jaime didn't want Joanna becoming like other Dornish girls especially Oberyn's bastard daughters. He wanted a different life for her but Joanna always told that she didn't want to be a lady of some castle. She wanted to make her own decisions. Eventually, she came to an agreement with Jaime which allowed her to keep practicing fighting and playing with the sand snakes but she was never to stay out late and had to always inform her parents of her whereabouts and always have a guard near her. She understood that her father loved her and wanted to protect her. She had always shared a special bond with Jaime and was very close to him.

Her thoughts drifted to Jaime. Her husband would be back at any moment. He was out doing only God knows what. She never understood why he chose to marry her rather than sailing for the free cities and doing whatever he wanted. He never gave her a straight answer when she asked. He had no purpose here. He was here in exile for fulfilling his duty and saving Rhaenys' life. She could see that her husband was a man of purpose. It was sad to see him wither away day by day. When the Greyjoy rebellion came, Jaime somehow convinced Doran to send his army to the Crown's aid as well and Doran had given him 1000 men. It was in those days she saw who her husband really was. He had a purpose, however small it was. She had never seen him so full of energy. When the battle was done he had brought back over 800 men and even Doran was impressed at how well he led his men. There was a feast the day he returned and Jaime was the center of attention. All the men wanted to drink with him and all the women wanted to sleep with him. She had never seen Jaime so happy before. They had the best sex that night. It was hard to tell but she believed that they conceived Joanna that night. In Dorne, his only purpose was Jason. Well, Jason and Rhaenys. He lived for them and when Joanna was born it felt like his world was complete. She only wished for her to be a part of it too.

It wasn't his fault though, was it? It was her who had asked him not to fall in love with her because she loved another man and would always do so. Then why did it hurt when he replied that he loved someone else too? Why did it hurt that he treated her like a friend with whom he shared a bed? He did exactly as she asked. He did not fall in love with her during these 15 years. Was it really his fault that she fell in love with him?

"Not thinking about jumping are you?" came Jaime's voice from behind her that startled her. Her husband was back from whatever he was doing that day.

"And leave you to live happily after I'm gone? Not a chance," she replied. She had grown used to Jaime's teasing and sarcasm. She even gave him a witty reply now more often than not.

"Where is Jason?" she asked her husband while putting her glass of wine down and bringing him his clothes as he started to undress.

"I don't know, must be out somewhere with Rhaenys," he replied while taking clothes from her.

"That girl has too much influence on him, I've told you a hundred times now. They shouldn't be spending so much time together," he said looking at her like she was forcing Jason and Rhaenys together.

"Do you want me to forbid him from seeing her? Besides she is a good girl, she is a positive influence on him. They have been friends since he was born, she is almost like a sister to him."

"That's what I'm afraid of," he said staring blankly out the window which left her confused. "It doesn't matter if she is a good girl. He should start making decisions of his own instead of following her around like her puppy. He's a Lannister. He should very much start behaving like one."

"What has gotten into you today? You're sounding like your father?" she asked noticing a change in his attitude. Jaime always treated Rhaenys like his daughter ever since they had gotten together. He was more of a father to Rhaenys than Jasmine. Her oldest daughter was still out, training with the sand snakes. She had initially wanted her daughter to stay away from Oberyn's daughters but they were the only ones who would play with Jasmine. Joanna and Jasmine didn't get along and Jason would spend all his time with Rhaenys which left Jasmine with only Oberyn's daughters to play with.

"How would you know? You've never met my father?" he asked.

"I've heard stories. Besides whose fault is it?" she countered.

"You are saying that you want to meet my father?" he asked.

"Yes, I do oddly. He is Jason and Joanna's grandfather. I think he should be in their life," she said.

"Well you got what you wish for," he replied.

"What?"

"Yes, you heard right. The Tyrells are holding a big tourney. All the major houses of the seven kingdoms are invited."

"Why?"

"Rich people don't need reasons to do stuff, Ashara. But Doran does believe that they are looking for a match for Margaery," he answered getting on the bed and pulling her down with him. He gave her a deep kiss and laid her beside him while still holding her.

"I thought Margaery was set to marry Renly Baratheon," she said resting her head on his shoulders and letting him wrap his arms around her.

"She was but now the Tyrells believe that they have leverage. The Reach separates Dorne from the Crownlands. The support of the Tyrells would be extremely vital for both sides. This is the reason why Jon Arryn was so desperately seeking a match between Renly and Margaery."

"So what has changed?" she asked.

"Well, Doran told them that having their son marry the future queen of the seven kingdoms would be a lot better than having their daughter marry the youngest brother of the King. They now want both sides there and make their proposals and sell their support to the highest bidder. The greatest tourney in history is the perfect excuse to get both sides together."

"Wow, I wish we could go. It's been so long since we've been out of Dorne. The kids would love it as well. I know Rhaenys charms everyone she meets but her trying to charm the Queen of Thorns is something I wish I could see," she said closing her eyes.

"Well then start packing," he replied and her eyes opened wide.

"We're going? What about Robert Baratheon? You're living in exile remember?" she asked.

"He's not going to try anything to the guest of House Tyrell on their land and if he does we'll deal with it. I have spent enough time here. We'll tell the kids tomorrow."

xxxxx

Author's note:

I'm back guys. I know it has been a while but I'm back now and will start updating regularly not only this but all my stories.

A big hug to all those who spent time to leave reviews. You guys are the best. Wish I hear from you soon.