Brother Dear

Viper

Oberyn stepped out of the carriage and held his hand out for his sister's slender olive-toned fingers. Elia smiled at him and grasped it as she bent her head to step out. The sun was bright, nearly blinding the princess. Oberyn wished she had brought her veils with her but he knew she was trying to rid herself of their Dornish ways. Ladies in Kings Landing did not wear veils, especially royalty.

The Viper let go of her hand as soon as she placed her small foot onto the wooden board that led to the ship's deck. He fell in behind Ashara as she followed close behind his sister. Oberyn tried not to let his eyes wander down the Dayne's backside. Oberyn paused at the top of the walk up and, he felt an invisible barrier stop him from going any further.

"Brother?" Elia questioned, she had stopped as well and eyed his hesitancy. Oberyn locked his jaw.

"I can go no further." He replied, and inwardly flinched at how hoarse his voice sounded suddenly. He flinched again when Elia sharply huffed out.

"You do not even wish to see my chambers below deck to check their comfort or to interrogate the ship's captain on his expertise?" She sarcastically replied. Oberyn rolled his shoulders and flicked his eyes to the captain and then to Ashara's amethyst eyes and then to Elia's daring black ones.

"I must return to mother. Let her know that you have left safely." He said without missing a beat. Well trained soldier.

Elia bowed her head and nodded.

"Farewell brother dear." her voice choked out. Oberyn bowed at the waist at his sister, and then Lady Ashara next.

"When word is sent, we will set sail immediately." The prince promised, then turned on his heel. He could not stay on that ship any longer, for if he did he'd sail to King's Landing with her and never return.

Oberyn did not look back until he reached the carriage. He stopped and looked up at the yellow sails. He was blinded by the sun, for it shone so brightly on a day when he wished for rain. He wished for a storm to delay this vessel. Mother would have deemed it an omen and defied the Mad King. He found himself begging for that, begging the Gods for his sister to stay. Marry someone from Dorne, live her days in the water gardens with her children and his daughters.

The Gods are never fair.

A Week Later

"It is quiet here." Oberyn thought aloud as he pressed his fingers against the multitude of books as he walked slowly through the halls.

"It is a library, son, voices are not welcome in a room for thoughts." Lord Daeron's monotoned voice came from the far corner, a few paces ahead of Oberyn. Oberyn glanced at the scrolls on his desk and tried to read them from far away like he did when he was a child and his mother made he and Elia stay in their father's library for their lessons. He squinted his eyes and deciphered several words, 'princess', 'dragon's blood', 'son'.

"Your mother keeps all her letters, did you know this?" Daeron asked his youngest child as he set down his quill and set the scroll in front of him on a stack of several others.

"Yes."

"I found a very enlightening one the other morning, I thought perhaps you would like to read it." Oberyn watched as his father reached beyond the letter he had been looking at a moment ago and grab a different one, with lighter paper and handwriting that looked flourished and large. He took it from his father's aging hands with delicacy, for the paper looked so translucent he feared it might tear if he were to snatch it.

The prince scanned the delicate letter and felt his heart flutter with each passing word. He looked up at his father, who watched him with caution.

"The Queen wrote this? To mother?" Oberyn questioned. His father nodded. Oberyn felt fear and anger rise inside him, he could not believe his father could act so unperturbed after reading the Queen's words.

"How could you let Elia go after reading this? I do not understand!" Daeron raised his hand to silence his son. Oberyn bit his tongue and threw the parchment down. He no longer feared ruining the letter, he hated it at this moment.

"Your mother's decision came before this letter arrived from the Queen. I was not made aware of it until this morning. I only tell you because your mother has decided to send you and several other members of our family to the wedding once the raven arrives." Lord Daeron responded in the same monotone voice as before. His father never showed his anger, nor was Oberyn ever able to read his lord father's emotions.

"I was under the impression I was to go regardless." Oberyn replied as he felt himself searching for the plan his father was implying.

"You were, but as a brother, not as a spy. Stay, and keep an eye on the King and his dragon son. You are to stay as long as the King allows, but leave people behind. We are sending your cousins Darron and Callor, the King does not know them, disguise them as guards for your sister and let them stay." His father continued.

"If the King allows that. I have read the same letter as you and mother, the King has a distaste for our Dornish blood. He will not look kindly on more snakes in his castle." Oberyn spit out.

Daeron did not respond but stood instead.

"Try, as you must. Your sister will be surrounded by lions in that city. Rhaella mentioned Tywin and his anger at this slight. The Queen took a great risk at sending this letter to us, and she did so as a favor to your mother. We will not let your sister find herself in danger because of our failure as protectors." Daeron walked around his desk and put a hand on his son's shoulder and looked into his dark eyes.

"I trust you value your sister's life more than your own Oberyn, you will not allow her to be unprotected in a city as dangerous as King's Landing. She knows the danger that lies ahead of her, she is stronger than most ladies her age, but her health concerns your lady mother and I, I know you will not fail your sister." His voice held an edge, this was a threat. An unnecessary threat. Oberyn did not know his father, he was still a mystery to him.

"This would not have been necessary if mother had denied the Mad King his wish." Oberyn bit back. Daeron's eyes turned from confident to disappointed. It did not bother Oberyn. He would obey his lord parent's wish.

"You are young Oberyn, age will bring you wisdom to the actions of your parents. We did this with Elia's future in mind. She will birth the heir to the Seven Kingdoms."

Oberyn was in disbelief.

"You are sacrificing her life! She will be ripped apart by the Lannisters! You were there when the she was young and the maester's warned against her ever bearing children!" Oberyn raised his voice and pushed his father's hand off his shoulder. Lord Daeron suddenly grabbed his arm and held him still.

"You will bite your tongue Oberyn. You have been given a task and you will fulfill it as you are told. Your mother and I will not let your insolence and temper get in the way of your sister's future. Now leave!" His voice was loud and it struck a childish fear inside of Oberyn. In that moment he was reminded of a memory when that same tone was used:

'Oberyn!' his father's voice rang from the halls. Oberyn scurried his nine year old body under his large canopy bed and covered his ears from his father's deafening voice.

Suddenly he heard his door slam open and a hand grab his ankle. Oberyn screamed out in terror as he was dragged from beneath his bed. He was forced to stand as he kept his eyes closed tight in fear.

'Open your eyes.' Daeron demanded. Oberyn shook his head violently and felt a yank on his arm. Oberyn whimpered and shook his head again.

'If you do not open your eyes I will strike you and you will not leave this room for a fortnight.' Daeron threatened. Oberyn took a shaky breath and held back a sob. Martells did not cry.

Oberyn look his father in the eyes and saw the anger he knew he would see.

'Do you know what you did?' his father asked of him. Oberyn shook with fear and shook his head. Daeron narrowed his eyes.

'Do not lie to me.' Oberyn sniffed again and looked down at his feet. He tried to steady his breathing but it would not happen.

'I pushed my sister down. And she injured herself.' He replied in a small voice. Daeron shook his head.

'You injured your sister and then ran away when she needed help. Do you know what that means?' He asked in a calmer tone that made Oberyn second guess his reply. Was this a trap?

Oberyn bit his lip and thought for moment. He looked down at his feet and searched for the answer his father wanted.

'I abandoned her.' He replied.

'Yes, you abandoned her. And that is unforgivable. You will stay in your room the rest of the day and think about what you have done.' His father stood and stepped away from Oberyn, who suddenly felt very small.

'No please father! I am sorry! I didn't mean to!' Oberyn begged and rushed to grab his father's shirt. Daeron put a hands on both his shoulders and pushed him away.

'It is not I whom you should be apologizing to son, it is your sister. Now sit here and deliberate what you will say to her. Your mother will fetch you when your time is up.' Daeron turned and left Oberyn alone in his room.

He turned and sat on his bed and stared at the door. And closed his eyes in thought.

Oberyn was his sister's protector. As Doran was both of their protectors. His parents had instilled that in him when was a boy. How could he let down the only reason for his living?

The prince stepped away and bowed to his father before saying:

"I will not fail you father, nor will I fail my lady mother." He responded, trying not to let his bitter tone bleed through. If his father caught it he did not let it known.

Lord Daeron nodded and returned to his desk.

"You will set sail the moment the raven arrives, go and prepare my son." He responded and looked back down at his parchment.

Oberyn walked swiftly to the entrance of his father's library in search of his brother. Perhaps Doran's wisdom would provide guidance on the plan that was forming inside of him.

(A/N: Proof reading? What's that? Sorry about the long update. Life is a bitch and I don't have time for anything. I also gave up on this story but got a stroke of inspiration tonight. Hope it's okay!)