najex: Kevan is pragmatic, even more so than Tywin, which is why he can appear as the wiser choice here, but don't forget that he's absolutely on board with Tywin all the way. As for Shireen, although she's got Stannis' personality, she's still an influencable young girl, now trapped in a game that goes beyond anything she knows.

Testing: More like they can't really anticipate these things. In the end, magic can still be defeated by "conventional" means.

speed: What did you think Cersei was going to do when hearing of Jaime's death? Making the only Stark she could get her hands on suffer, of course.

Sven: It's always a fAegon story if it's ASOIAF. He's bound to make an appearance at some point, you just cant get rid of him because he's a thorn in the story's side.

Sage: By sailing up the Fever. Victarion took it like that in canon.

Guest: Taking it interlude by interlude:

- Kevan is a loyal second but also a pragmatic and a pretty good politician. In canon, he managed to nearly bring the realm to peace, and was enough of a threat that Varys had to kill him so that Cersei may continue her delusional route. I wanted to showcase it here with him disagreeing on certain of Tywin's points, while still acknowledging his brother as the leader of the Lannister war effort, and following his command.

- For Sansa, her treatment stems on Cersei seeing Sansa as a vessel for Robb, and therefore has to make her suffer. Needless to say she also lifted all of Joffrey's boundaries at the same time. Ser Balon wasn't "cast aside" as Sansa thinks, but Cersei and Joffrey likely realized that he wasn't hurting Sansa enough and lifted him from those "duties", which is why she sees less of him and assumes he's been cast aside.

- Davos. Varys loves theatrics, so his entrance is not that unbelievable. He would love to make such an appearance to put himself in a position of power. Also, yes, Varys did pay Monford's ransom. If you're going to restore the Targaryen dynasty, might as well get their most loyal followers in.

- Victarion. For all the good loyal dog that he is, Victarion has been vocal of his dislike of both his brothers in canon, although he kept these voices to himself. He's not thinking about usurpation, but more of slapping Balon and asking where his riches are.

the others: Thanks!

Gerris

Never did Gerris think that one day, the outline of the walls of the Shadow City and the distinct shape of the Sandship in the distance would be a welcome sight to him.

His home, he always thought, was Yoricksbank, or Yronwood. The two mighty fortresses guarding both the Boneway and the Greatwater Rush, and the places where he had spent nearly all of his life. And to be fair, these places would always mean home to him.

But things had changed drastically. Quentyn had changed drastically. And when he and his friends had come to Sunspear, a year ago, he would never have imagined the changes that it would entail.

With Quentyn becoming heir to Dorne, he had, despite not doing anything more than staying loyal to his friends, sent house Drinkwater from a minor house sworn to Yronwood, to an important house with a bigger say in the decision-making of Dorne than a lot of great houses.

And no day was more telling of this than today, where he had been sent back to Sunspear with Gulian, for both of them to govern the city in Quentyn's stead. Gulian would have the official titles, while Gerris would be the enforcer, so to speak. A funny reversal of roles, since usually, Gerris was the brains, and either Cletus or Arch were the enforcers. However, he did not mind such a role, especially when it gave him less responsibilities and all the annoying politics of eastern Dorne. These were likely the reason Quentyn chose Gulian for the role of governor of Sunspear over him.

Therefore, he would mostly be in charge of handling the "tougher" cases, and thin out what Quentyn referred to as the "annoying cases", which in basic terms, meant princess Arianne's remaining supporters, or gods forbid, those who put prince Doran above all else.

Needless to say, after Quentyn's stunt with Lorch, there weren't many of both. In one action, Quentyn had essentially put Dorne at his feet, especially when details of how Lorch's demise was carried out, and the proof of Lorch's death reached Ghost Hill with Lucian Toland carrying the remains there, which would then be transported to Sunspear. There, his ashes would be scattered to the winds at sea, and his garbs and arms be placed in Sunspear, in the halls of the vanquished, where a good number of arms and sigils already stood. His skull, though, would be kept by Quentyn in his solar, where it would serve as a reminder of "his" feat and a constant reminder to the Dornish that if Rhaenys was avenged by fifty of their countrymen, it was their prince that did the deed.

A political masterstroke on all counts.

Indeed, he only had to spend a few moments in Sunspear's streets to see how the event had marked the people. In the short walk between the harbor and the fortress, he had received three bunch of flowers, six kisses, two offers to take things further, and a long walk of cheers. More than that, though, was the whispers and talks that he'd heard on his short walk. Whenever someone would mention "the prince", they would mean Quentyn every single time. No doubt that his friend would have a hard time even having a moment's respite in Skyreach, whom he'd reached a day or two before.

There was no longer a difference between "the prince in Sunspear" and "the prince in the Gardens", there only were "the prince" and "the father". The fact that Prince Doran's title had disappeared entirely was telling. The people weren't really forgiving of the match to Myrcella and Dorne's armies potentially entering the war on the side of the Lannisters.

All of this led to his confrontation with the other prince, Oberyn Martell, in the midst of Sunspear's halls. Since Gulian had to go through the process of taking control of Sunspear immediately, the task of facing the red viper went on Gerris' shoulders.

To anyone else, the red viper would've been an intimidating sight. Long hair, clean face, piercing viper eyes and straight demeanour. But Gerris was not one to be intimidated easily. He sat there, unflinching, waiting for the prince to say the first words.

It seemed like the red viper was also waiting for him to say something. Just like his namesake, he was silently waiting for Gerris to speak so that he'd be able to strike him then. As such, Gerris just sat on one of the chairs in the prince's solar, admiring the various furniture around the room, some of which came from as far as Volantis and Qarth.

Seeing that Gerris wasn't going to buy into his little game, the prince finally spoke.

"Let me get this straight, Drinkwater." He growled. "You are confirming that my nephew killed Lorch by having him stabbed two hundred times by various Dornishmen, then slit his throat and sent us the bones, ashes and personal effects, while keeping the skull for himself. Then you also confirm to me that my second daughter is pregnant and that the child is also my nephew's. Is that correct?"

"That's about it, prince Oberyn." Gerris shrugged nonchalantly. If the viper thought that he could intimidate him, he was very much mistaken.

The red viper stared into his eyes for a brief moment. Gerris held the stare, but didn't glare back. There was no point in escalating an already tense moment, and although it would have been fun, he clearly wasn't in the mood. Besides, going too far could have nasty consequences.

"I don't know whether I should hug my nephew or kill him." The prince finally let out. "I shall need to speak with him very soon, but it seems that due to his popularity, I should hold out on killing him for the moment.

Now, let us speak freely. Why are you and the Qorgyle boy here?"

"Prince Quentyn sent Ser Gulian to relieve Ser Manfrey of his duties of governor, so that he may instead role in his stead. I am here to ensure that nothing untoward happens during this exchange."

The prince stayed silent for a few moments.

"My nephew is worried about the developments here?"

This was more of a statement of fact than a question.

"I wouldn't say worried, but more unhappy. He knows certain areas have been neglected and certain houses are not playing fair with the distribution and production of medicine, glassware, rice and other crops. He sent us both to set things right."

"I see." The prince relaxed back into his chair. "Well, my nephew is still ruler of Sunspear by my brother's decree. I will have the necessary orders drafted so that you may have the easiest time possible. I, however, will not help you more than necessary. A non-Martell ruling Sunspear, whether in my nephew's stead or not, is not something that either me or prince Doran find very acceptable."

"With all due respect, prince Oberyn, but mismanaging prince Quentyn's work and deliberately ignoring the prince's orders and recommendations toes a very fine line with treason. Martell or not."

The prince scowled. Had Gerris taken it a little too far? In any case, he did not show any hint of worry and continued with his confident demeanour.

It seemed to work. Prince Oberyn looked like he wanted to explode, but Gerris was a tough nut to crack, and now all that the prince wanted was to get rid of him.

"Very well." The prince nodded. "You may go. Extend my regards to your wife."

For the first time since he'd entered the room, Gerris smiled.

This was the reason he was so happy to be back in Sunspear. Something that he had thought unimaginable until a few months ago. He was in love. Some would say too soon, but if Quentyn could, why not him, too?

Besides, Gerris was in love with his wife, and not another woman he'd met. Cletus would laugh at it all. Indeed, he'd always told the heir to Yronwood that should his wife not be amicable, he could just take a paramour, just like he'd eventually end up doing, since he hadn't placed many hopes into his father's choices for a match.

However, with the evolving political situation, the demands for marriage came by the dozen, and his father had finally settled on one. The Daynes of High Hermitage.

Usually, Gerris would've been intimidated by a marriage to the Darkstar's sister. However, these thoughts disappeared when he first saw her. A beautiful woman, with long, silver hair, and purple eyes.

A Valyrian beauty. Quentyn had commented.

Elinor Dayne was extremely beautiful, and a maiden on her wedding night, too. Although she definitely wasn't shy in their bed that night.

With the union consummated, they would have usually gone back to Yoricksbank or High Hermitage. However, Quentyn gave his blessing for Elinor to stay at Sunspear so that Gerris might get to know his wife better.

Elinor, for all intents and purposes, was perfect. Not even her slightly naive personality or her sometimes overblown worries would change that.

Elinor was shy in public, true, but wonderfully kind. She had an eye for the beautiful things of the world, and a gift for the needle. Her intricate works were amazing to look at, and Gerris made sure to gift her whatever she wished so that she may continue her works. His doublet, with the arms of house Drinkwater, had been entirely sown by her hands, and he was proud to wear it everywhere he went.

Her shyness completed his confidence astonishingly well. And besides, when they were together, she wasn't afraid of telling him anything. It's a wonder she was the Darkstar's sister. Elinor was Gerold's total opposite. While Gerold was arrogant, brash and cruel, Elinor was modest, kind and caring. She really was much closer to Ned than Gerold.

With Gerold's death, Elinor had only grieved for a brief period of time. It seemed their relationship wasn't strong, and Gerold mostly dismissed Elinor as no threat to him. The bastard even mocked her about her shyness a few times. Needless to say that Gerris would shed no tear for that man.

Life moved on in Sunspear, and both he and Elinor felt like time had stopped for a while. They traded stories about their families and laughed about their friends. They laughed about Arch's boasts of how many casks of wine he could drink, talked about what Lord Anders had planned for Cletus, how long Gulian could keep his paramour secret, discussed who would finally conquer her cousin Ned's heart, and of course, took bets on who between Quentyn or Nymeria would finally admit they loved the other first.

However, life went on, and Gerris was called to go accompany Quentyn northwards, in his mission to Bitterbridge, right at the moment Elinor's pregnancy was confirmed.

It was no secret that, although Elinor had insisted Gerris go, Quentyn felt terrible for having asked him to come along in times like these.

Several times his friend had made the offer for him to go back. Several times Gerris felt that he'd be betraying his friends if he did so. However, watching the snake's belly grow larger and Quentyn starting to give all of his attention to her, so much that she actually would get annoyed at him, made Gerris reconsider.

Finally, though, Quentyn forced his hand after Lorch's execution, by sending him back with Gulian. This would suit them both, since it wouldn't violate the oath he made at Yronwood to always serve Quentyn as well as House Yronwood loyally, and Gerris had the opportunity to go back and be at Elinor's side during her last weeks of pregnancy.

He rushed down the halls of Sunspear, quickening his pace at every hallway. He was inching closer and closer to their rooms. Finally, he saw the door that Quentyn had had painted with the sigils of both houses Drinkwater and Dayne of High Hermitage. It was part of a few gifts his friend had given them, which also included a wonderful Volantene dress for Elinor, and an ornamented dagger for him.

Pushing the door slightly, Gerris widened his eyes in surprise as he entered.

Elinor was there, sitting on a chair, looking as bright as ever. However…her belly had gone from round to completely flat. For a moment, Gerris choked.

No. It couldn't be.

But she was smiling at him. If she was smiling, then surely…

"Hello, love." She let out.

Gerris didn't give her a chance to get out of the chair as he rushed to kneel by her side while kissing her hands.

"Elinor…" he whispered, half-worried, half-excited. "What happened to…"

"Come with me." She rose from the seat, adjusted her hair and chuckled. "Welcome home, by the way."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't come earlier. I…"

"Yes, you were stuck at Ghost Hill, I heard." Her voice lightened. "I was worried that after what you did to Lorch, a woman would've taken you for herself."

"Never." Gerris shook his head. "Believe me, I have received a few offers. But the only woman I want is you, and only you."

"I was joking, silly." She laughed, and slapped his shoulder, leaning on it for an instant.

While the Salty and Sandy Dornishwomen were smaller, the Stony ones were tall. And Elinor was no exception, standing exactly at Gerris' height, which was about a head above Quentyn and a head and a half under Arch.

She took him by the hand and lead him to their bed, where another, smaller bed, had been put.

"I didn't want to tell you because I wanted to leave it a surprise." She smiled and pointed to the small bed. "I gave birth a moon ago. Here is your…well…our son."

Gerris didn't speak a single word. He'd forgotten how time had flown by, and how much time they were away for. But it did make sense since Elinor had not taken any moon tea or anything that would stop her from bearing a child. And their marriage was quite an ancient affair…

Too shocked to speak, he instead moved towards the smaller bed, where a small figure was awake and laughing as Elinor picked it up.

It was a boy, with bright, blonde hair, and a pair of dark, blue, eyes. Their child had inherited more of Gerris' side than Elinor, but it made sense considering Edric's Blackmont mother had influenced him more than his father.

Elinor passed the baby into Gerris' arms.

He felt the tug of the boy on his vest and looked at it in the eyes.

It was his son. He was now a father.

He resisted the urge to cry as Elinor took him in her arms once more and placed it back into the bed.

"He needs to rest." She told him.

"Elinor…I…I don't know what to say…" Gerris struggled. "I would have wished to be there with you…to hold your hand…"

"Don't be sorry, love." She smiled. "You had a duty to Dorne and a duty to me. I will not hold it against you that you chose the first, just as long as you do the second from now on."

"I'll do anything for you." Gerris kissed her right on her lips, feeling her soft skin with his hands and smelling her lavender perfume. "I love you."

"I love you too, Gerris." She answered when he broke the kiss.

"Does he have a name?" he asked.

"I didn't think it would be wise to decide before you came back." She shook her head. "I thought about something that would please both our families. Like Arthur, or Addam."

"How about Julian?" he asked. "Julian Dayne was the Lord of Starfall during the First Dornish War, but Julian is also my maternal grandfather's name, from house Kingfisher."

"Julian…" Elinor seemed thoughtful for a moment. "I hadn't thought of it. But you may be right, it could be a good name. Would you leave me the night to think about it?"

"Of course."

That night, Gerris and Elinor shared a bed for the first time in months. They didn't engage in any acts, as it would have been too risky for her, and instead just talked about the mission to the Reach and Stormlands, Lorch's execution, Quentyn finally confessing his feelings and, to Elinor's amusement, getting Nymeria with child. They also talked about the developments in Sunspear, and of how they would deal with the succession and rule, now that she was heir to High Hermitage. It was a short night for the both of them, but neither regretted a thing as they drifted to sleep in each other's arms.

The next day, Julian Dayne was officially given the title of heir to High Hermitage, and fifth in line to Yoricksbank.