Woah... so: this is clearly the longest chapter yet, and it's an important one. I hope you guys will like it and please remember to review once you're done!

Dearest grandmamma,

while we have safely arrived here in the Watergardens, the troubling news of Renly's murder have caught up with us. I hope Margaery and Loras are well, since there was no news of further deaths. The Martells have been the most gracious hosts, and we are welcome to stay for as long as needed. I am eagerly awaiting your reply with instructions as to what is to be done next.

With all my love,

Samaya

Sam looked one more time at the tiny scroll she was about to hand to the messenger boy. When she was satisfied with it, she passed it over and the boy bowed before leaving her chambers. She sighed and looked out over the big terrace. While she had been too tired to spare a second glance last night, she had discovered this morning that her chambers were almost royal. Not only was the bedroom spacious and comfortable, the doors which she had assumed opened onto a balcony gave passage to a small, private garden. Lush flowers and green grass framed a big pool meant for swimming, and as she was sitting on the small table atop the terrace, it was calling to her. She felt hot and sweaty, and even washing off the grime and dirt by the small wash basin this morning hadn't quenched her need for relief of that sort. A loud knock on the door distracted her, and she called for the person to enter. To her surprise, it was a young, yellow-haired girl with fair skin. A stranger to Dorne, just like herself.

"Lady Samaya, I have brought you some dresses," she said as she put down a big pile of clothes on her bed. Sam came closer and looked at the girl curiously.

"I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know who I am, but please tell me your name as well?" she said. The way the girl was carrying herself spoke volumes about her. This was no simple maid, she was a noble, just like herself. The girl smiled shyly and straightened her dress.

"My name is Myrcella Baratheon," she said timidly and bowed. Sam's eyes widened. Quickly, she walked up to the girl and took her hands.

"My dear Myrcella, you are a princess! You bow to no one, except your king," she said and smiled encouragingly. It was clear to her that even though the girl was a Lannister, she was afraid and very, very lost. Myrcella looked at her in shock, but then her eyes softened and she sat down on Sam's bed.

"I am sorry, Lady Samaya, I don't really feel like a princess around here. It has only been a fortnight since I have arrived in Dorne, and I am not sure if they want me here," she confessed. Sam smiled kindly and sat down next to her.

"It must be hard for you, being sent to such a foreign land when still so young, but you shouldn't despair," she said to the girl.

"The Martells hate my family. I know that I am promised to Prince Trystane, but he has barely spoken to me since I've arrived," Myrcella replied.

"There is a lot of bad history between the noble houses in Westeros, but the Martells have a high code of honour. They would never hurt a young girl like you. You should consider seeing it as a chance to restore diplomatic peace between two great houses," Sam said after some consideration.

"What do you mean, Lady Samaya?" the girl asked her curiously.

"Did you know that my older brother Willas is a cripple? He has a bad leg, which never fully healed after he was wounded in a tournament by Prince Oberyn," she filled her in.

"Prince Oberyn crippled your brother? But then you must hate the Martells, too?" the young girl looked at her in disbelief.

"On the contrary, princess. Even at that tournament, my brother, who is a very level-headed person, forgave Oberyn for what was really just bad luck. Our two houses do not have great amiability between them as well, but I am here now to change that. You have the power to change that for your house. You are young and beautiful, and my grandmother always says that those are the best weapons for a woman. Keep a sharp mind, but play into the role of the helpless girl. Trystane is your age, isn't he?" she asked and Myrcella nodded. "Boys his age want one thing: adventures. Show him that you have a wild soul, tempt him to go on adventures together. If there are true feelings between the two of you, you might just be able to restore peace where there has been war for decades," she said and waited for Myrcella to reply.

"I see your point. But there is one thing I do not understand, my Lady."

"And what would that be?" Sam asked curiously.

"Your sister just married the traitor Renly. Our two houses are not on very good terms. Why would you give me advice?" Myrcella asked and looked at her sceptically. Sam realised that there was wit to her, much more than meets the eye. She chuckled and took the girls' hands again.

"I am here to strengthen the relationship between the Tyrells and the Martells. Why would you think that while I am on a mission to establish peace, I would not want to extend that peace to House Lannister as well?" she said and Myrcella thought it over for a moment.

"But you do not have instructions to make that peace. You probably didn't even know I would be here. You must be distrustful of me. I could write to my mother and tell her that there must be a secret mission behind your presence," she said. Sam was surprised that the girl had guessed the real reason behind her journey, but she kept her face carefree.

"I could distrust you. But you have never harmed me or my family personally and I believe that in order to live in peace, one has to forgive the sins of our fathers, or brothers, or even grandfathers. I do not have instructions to negotiate an alliance with house Lannister, but there is no reason why I cannot establish a friendship with you," she finally replied and Myrcella's face lit up.

"I would like that very much. I do not seem to have many friends here," the girl said.

"Then friends we are. No matter what our families might think," Sam concluded in a cheerful manner and they both laughed. A short while after, the young princess left her chambers again, and Sam went outside. Sitting back down on the comfy chair on the terrace, she pondered over her impulsive reaction. Was it a good idea to have a Lannister friend? Probably better than having her watch her every move with a distrustful eye. Yes, she thought, it was better now to insist that she was here for keeping the peace, not for forging alliances. At least until she heard back from her grandmother.

"Good morning, brother," Oberyn greeted Doran as he was being wheeled onto his balcony, where he was currently enjoying a lazy breakfast.

"I've come to talk about the Tyrell girl," his brother said immediately.

"We talked about her last night. You asked me if she was dumb, and I said I did not think so," the younger prince replied, picking off delicious red grapes and savouring them in his mouth. Doran looked at his bodyguard and by a short nod of his head, they were left alone.

"We both know why we told Olenna Tyrell we would consider an alliance. It was to see her, not to actually get involved in their politics. Were you able to confirm anything?"

"Why do you think I insisted on her getting the chambers with the pool? If there is any truth to what we've heard, we have to be crafty about it," Oberyn answered. "I've watched her look longingly at the ocean on our way here, and we've both heard the stories of when she loved to swim as a child. Be patient, brother."

"I need to know, Oberyn. There are too many kings fighting for the throne at the moment, you know how it will end… either every one of them will be dead, or the one that remains will be vulnerable. And then it's our time. But we need to have the claim. We need the strength. The rest of this island will not bow to a Dornish King. Only with the right relations..," Doran trailed off.

"There would be other ways, brother. It does not all rely on the poor girl," Oberyn interrupted him.

"You've grown fond of her," his brother observed.

"I can see it in her eyes, brother. She is like an animal that has been put in a cage for too long. Shaped by those around her to be something she will never be. There is a longing for freedom… I do not think she will want the same things that we do," Oberyn explained.

"I do not care what she wants. I have sat here for years. I did nothing when Elia was murdered. I did nothing when the Lannisters spat on the Martell name. I have planned my revenge. Secretly, carefully. And our time will come. With or without her," Doran stared into the distance, his mouth a hard line and his eyes filled with anger. As Areo Hotah returned to wheel him out of the room, Oberyn grew more concerned. His brother was set upon getting his revenge. He just hoped that he would not be too blind to see that it would be an even longer road from here.

Samaya spent her day walking through the majestic gardens, talking with Willam and Bayard, and having dinner with the two princes. She felt at ease here in Dorne, yet the uncertainty of her presence still gnawed at her. It had turned dark some time ago, but she was still sitting on her balcony, an unopened book in front her. Her eyes were glued to the soft water down below. She still felt unbearably hot. Whereas the heat had been dry while they were travelling through the desert, it was hot and humid here. Her grandmother's words rang in her ears, but she was too frustrated to listen to them anymore. The hoot of an owl, or whatever owl-like birds they had in Dorne, startled her, and by looking at the big, pale moon, she noticed that it must be the middle of the night. Nobody would be around now, only the guards would still be awake.

Despite throwing so much caution to the wind, she still needed to obey to one rule. Slowly, she undressed herself, but fished for a long, black fabric that she wrapped around her head, tying all of her hair up underneath it. Putting on a thin robe over her naked self, she walked back outside and slowly descended the few steps that led down to her relief.

She stopped at the edge of the tiled pool, looking down at her reflection in the calm water. A much thinner version of herself than the one that left Highgarden all those weeks ago looked back. Slowly, she undid her robe and sighed softly as the smooth fabric slid down her sensitive skin. A soft breeze made the leaves surrounding her rustle and brushed over her body like a cool lover's touch. Sam felt more alive than she had in all those years at Highgarden. Standing naked in a place so far from home, doing something she wasn't supposed to. She smiled to herself while testing the water with her foot. Its temperature was as heavenly as she had hoped for. Slowly, she sat down at the edge and submersed herself in it.

There was barely any sound as the girl slid in the water. The look on her face, however, spoke volumes. Oberyn had observed Sam patiently for the past hours, hiding in a dark corner of the small private garden. He just knew something was about to happen. And then, after hours of her staring into nothingness, she got up with determination and came back a short time later wrapped in a thin robe. He had seen beautiful women all over the world, but when she undressed herself, his eyes widened. Her body was not pristine and untouched like so many other noble ladies, no; there were scars and little bruises, telling him of her wild soul. Besides those, however, she was just as he liked his women: tall and lean, with just the right amount of curve where it was most important. When his gaze flickered to her most private part, his heart began to beat faster. If his eyes weren't playing him any tricks, it was as they'd hoped. But he needed to make sure. After she'd swum one length and turned her back on him to swim back, he stepped out from his hiding spot and silently walked up to the end of the pool. She reached the far end, turned around, and he was bracing himself for a small shriek. However, it did not come. She stopped in her movement, made eye-contact and slowly raised herself up. The water was not too deep, and Oberyn had a very good view of everything above her navel.

For some reason, Sam was not afraid by his presence. Even as vulnerable as she was right now, she knew he wouldn't harm her. She watched in amazement as he slowly undressed himself, taking in his muscular form and, for the first time ever, a manhood that wasn't her brothers'.

He kicked off with agility, and dived into the waters head-first. She watched his body glide underneath the surface and come up just inches from her. He raised himself up until he was tall in front of her. Goosebumps began to form on her skin, and her heart was beating rapidly. He did not say a word, but slowly brought his hands up to her face. Stroking once down her cheek was almost enough for Sam to collapse against his body, but she just closed her eyes with a soft sigh. His hand, however, did not wander down, but up to her headscarf. Slowly, he unwrapped it until her dark hair fell down softly on her wet back. He dipped the scarf into the water and raised it above her head. Sam realised too late what he was about to do, but even if she had noticed earlier, she was frozen to the spot, unable to move.

As the coldness dripped over her head, and the water around her began to turn black, she looked at him defiantly. His eyes told of his shock, and he swallowed once before he finally found his voice. Looking at dirty streaks of silver hair that begun to appear from the top of her head, he said the four words that were gonna change her world forever.

"So it is true."

DUN DUN DUUUUNNNN... thoughts? critique? praise? please review! xx