Chapter 11: Favor

RECAP

Benjen walked as fast as he could to his brother, fortunately, guards helped him find Ned's chamber. As he reached his brother's chamber, he knocked and then entered.
Ned was sitting on his bed when the door opened and spotted his brother, abruptly he walked and held him in a tight hug. Both were happy to see each other, but Benjen had a lot of questions, and Ned had lot to explain, so both walked and settled on the balcony. Both Looking at the broken city of King's landing. The biggest city now the biggest ruined city.

Benjen

The morning had not dawned, still Dark and cold, Benjen walked hastily to meet his brother. He knocked the door before entering, Ned was sitting on his bed. As soon as Ned's eyes met his, Ned moved and embraced him in a single go. Benjen missed that, his brother, his only family. Ned pulled him back to meet his face.

"Come, "Ned waved his hand to offer him to sit and then walked to the wine cellar in the right corner to get some. But Benjen just crossed bed and walked out to the balcony. He yearned for his home, the freshness of snow. King's landing was already bad to start with but even worse aftermath of war. Ned turned holding chalices in his both hands and walked to Benjen.

"It's gotten worse," Ned said to his brother offering him one of the chalices. Benjen took the chalice while mapping the exacerbated condition of the city.

"That I am sure of," Benjen said with a slight smile, turning to his brother. Ned just gave a grave smile and took a sip.

"Prince Oberyn" as words came out, Ned's eyes turned to Benjen with curiosity.

"What do you think of him" Benjen pointed. During their short conversation, he couldn't grasp Oberyn's character other than being Annoying and maybe Humorous.

"can't say, only met him once and that too was brief" Ned's words were slow, Benjen turned to his ale for time being, when suddenly Ned continued,

"But he came all this way to kings landing to fight a war, when he don't have to, just for his niece, … I don't think martells are that different from us" Ned said with straight brood tone. Benjen looked at his brother.

"How is he," Benjen asked, shifting his gaze to his brother. Ned discerned his words well.

"Good,…. He looks just like her." Ned said with a smile on his face, the image of his sister flashed in benjen's mind. Sometimes still he couldn't believe that he would never see her smile or her riding horse or fencing. All felt like yesterday when lyanna would spar with him, or beat him in horse riding. Ben turned to his brother,

"Can I see him," his words filled with anticipation and longing for his nephew, last living memory of her sister. Even when he marched northerners south, somewhere in his head, he was elated to see lya's son. The memory of Day when Ned came to Winterfell with her Dead body, still haunted his sleep; He was happy. He received raven stating, his brother bringing their sister back home but he never ever imagined. Ned would be bringing her to lay in the crypts with the dead. Her pale-ashen face, remained in his head torturing him for not being able to save her somehow.

"Not yet, he's not in red keep," Ned said taking another sip of his ale.

"Why,… where is he now, …is viserys had done something to him" Benjen blurted without thinking in a moment but as soon as words and Ned's calm tone settled in his mind, he got composed. Ned was relaxed and calm, so his nephew must be safe.

"As far as I know, he's safe" Ned assured, but Benjen was still muddled and Ned read his face well enough.

"When city was attacked, Jon was taken to safety, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Willem are with him. Few hours before, viserys received message from ser Arthur stating their situation… and now with city fortified. They would surely return to red keep soon enough." Ned explained with his gaze on Benjen.

Benjen listened to his word silently. He trusted Ned more than anyone, so he also trusted Ned's word in the matter. Although there were other things that remained ambiguous for sure.

"Viserys do not trust Oberyn, does he," Benjen said, he deducted that much already, what other reasons viserys could possibly have to request Northern army in king's landing when lannisters and Tyrells were rotting in the black cells.

"No, he suspects. Oberyn might try to get Rhaenys on the throne" Ned said, his voice was deadpanned. Viserys suspicions weren't really trivial Benjen would agree on this one for sure. But still, if Oberyn planned to get Rhaenys on 'damn throne', then why would he wait so long, and since northern, riverrun and vale forces held king's landing, so his chances were quite less favored.

Benjen looked at his brother. Ned was tensed and seemingly constricted. "Is something bothering you brother?" Benjen asked straight, he was never one for a perplex talk.

Ned waited before speaking, his face held hesitation. "How's Catelyn" Ned finally asked. Benjen was waiting for that question for quite long. He knew Ned married for war, not love. But he wished that he would find love along the way.

"She is good, and misses you a lot,…I know things here at kings landing are eminent but she needs you" he said placing his hand on his shoulder. But Ned's face remained blank.

Benjen never saw Ned as insensitive or harsh until that moment. He has always been more caring, sensitive, maybe serious but generous. But there, Ned's expression held a distinct grimace which he encountered only once; when they entombed lyanna in the crypts.
Still, Benjen knew better than to ask his brother candidly. Ned had always been more serious and closed among their sibling though lyanna remained an exception.

NED

Seeing Benjen was the best thing that occurred with Ned in quite long time. Only two of them remained of his once big happy family. Talking with Ben relaxed his mind. That was a good thing, as with Ben, he could speak freely without worrying about the repercussions. They talked about many things, Jon, Oberyn, viserys and even the ruined city. But the matter that pinched him more was his pregnant wife. Catelyn was pregnant with his child, and he loved his child, he always entertained the idea of having his child but he wished that with Ashara, not Catelyn. Ned's thought again wandered to only place where he did not wish to be. But Deed was done. The seal was set. He felt trapped between his duty and love, his mind and heart, his honor and her's... Everything.

But Ned finally managed to speak up. He wished to know about his child well-being at the very least. "How's Catelyn". Ned looked at his brother' face but still did not looked his eyes.

"She is good, and misses you a lot,…I know things here at kings landing are important, but she needs you" Ben ended dolefully, with his hand on Ned's shoulder.

Ned deduced ben's expression well enough. He himself felt guilty thinking about that. He wronged both Ashara and Catelyn. He promised Ashara to never leave her, but he left. He vowed Catelyn to love her, but he failed that too. Every time Ashara's thought plagued his mind, his guilt and grief got amplified.

Ned felt like he played with both of them. He destroyed three lives because of Robert's charade. Never in his life, he felt so vulnerable and lost, not even when mad king murdered his father and brother. He wished. If only he could go back and fix what he started.

VISERYS

The morning had dawned clear and bright. Viserys was informed of the arrival of Stark Forces. He walked out of his chamber, as he walked through the Maegor hold fast, starkmen were on guard. And that gave him great satisfaction and security. Also with northern Army, He again held the control over his city. He also thought about Jon and others. They were still in hiding, but since Stark forces had arrived, and red keep was safe even with Dornish on their shores. Viserys wished to have some talk with Oberyn. After all, he held control of king's landing, which wasn't the case day before.

He walked crossing white sword tower. Suddenly, his gaze went to training yard. Oberyn was sparing with some northern soldiers. Though they were not really a match for Oberyn. He moved his spear with remarkable celerity not like a weapon but as extension of his Arm. After watching him for quite some time, he understood, why he speaks so insolently and boldly. After all, he wasn't all talk.

As viserys stood there watching, Oberyn gaze encountered Viserys. He smacked the man at his front in leg with his spear, making him trip. After then Oberyn turned his gaze to viserys.

"Would you like to join," Oberyn said with a wolfish grin, looking at him. Viserys walked down the steps to meet the yard ground. Many would disagree, but viserys wasn't a fool to trip in viper's nest.

"Maybe some other time, you already had your fill, I suppose," viserys said with a sly smile rolling down his face. He did not had time for Oberyn's games.

"Maybe,…... for now," Oberyn answered with some weird grin on his face,

"Looks like lord stark…. Or…. Better say you, really got the whole North to King's landing," Oberyn said with his annoying smirk.

"What can I say, the more the merrier," Viserys said, though he firmly implied his meaning without actually spelling words. But his mind had another worry. Viserys knew, he had to face the truth of Elia's death one day, so he opted 'today'.

"I think, we have things to discuss, Prince Oberyn," viserys said out straight. Oberyn winked at his words. Viserys held no wish for wasting more time so he just pointed towards the open Garden. Oberyn just walked alongside him.

"I know you won't like it but I have something to tell you…regarding your sister's death," Viserys said his words, halting and looking at his face, Oberyn remained silent and his face held passive expression. Viserys took that as consent.

"I altered Lady Elia's Murder events…" viserys took a pause to look Oberyn in eyes to get an idea about his possible response but Oberyn showed none instead held his fixed expression.

Viserys continued "Before her murder… she….. was… raped." As viserys words left his mouth, Oberyn too broke his passive look and got his glowering look. Viserys sensed the anger. He predicted that well enough.

"I just wished to retain her honor, I can understand how you feel. She was like my sister. I didn't know her that much, but I knew she was kind and caring. I didn't wish her memories to be tainted with humiliation." Viserys said, explaining the reason for his action. Anger was gleaming in Oberyn's eyes, and his silence only made him more nervous about that. But finally, Oberyn broke the long-held silence.

"Save her honor, did you really saved her honor" Oberyn blurted. Viserys opened her mouth to work on his defense but Oberyn continued leaving him in half-bewilderness.

"You claim that your motives were purely honorable….so why didn't you made lannisters answer for their crimes,…. I heard… you broke bread with lannisters, knowing full well what they did to my sister and your father." Oberyn ended with glowering down on viserys.

"I would have slashed their neck right there if it was under my power. I didn't had any proof against them" viserys said in humble but firm convincing tone. Viserys knew Oberyn would not believe him, but he too held no love Lannister.

"Since when does, Targaryen needed prove to burn their enemies," Oberyn said with a grave and dark look on his face.

"My ancestors did what they thought was right, and they paid for it. I don't wish to repeat those mistake….you may not believe me, but I love my family just as much as you love yours…..you lost your sister and for that, you wish to bleed every single Lannister…. But I lost my brother, my father, my nephew, my mother all in one go…u can't even imagine how badly I wanted to slay every single one responsible for their deaths…. And I would do that soon enough…. I just wish that we could put it all behind us…..and call for peace." Viserys said with a dour face, unwaveringly. Viserys wanted to move forward, past their differences, for them as well as for realm. Oberyn just stood tight-lipped looking at his face.

Viserys waited for his reaction or anything. "You expect peace,…. So be it…..soon enough I will revenge my sister…..Though I would still have one last regret until my last day" Oberyn said with a sullen face. Viserys could not discern Oberyn's end words. Viserys gave him a curious look.

"I won't be able to kill that bastard clegane" Oberyn words held grave vibe. Viserys understood Oberyn's emotions. He held same anger for all lannisters and Tyrells.

"Ser Arthur already got it down for you," viserys said, Oberyn raised his face to meet his.

"Since now you have northern backing you up, so I think I wish to see my niece as soon as possible." Oberyn words were straight. Viserys understood clearly. He already planned to bring Jon back to red keep.

"Surely, Prince Oberyn…I would see to it…. Now since everything is settled, I really wish to know, …..how you managed to get here at the endpoint." Viserys said in a quizzical manner. Viserys wanted to know about dorne's mystical appearance at king's landing. Also, dorne did not had any strength in the sea, so how did they got ships to land their men to king's landing. Viserys's mind held many questions for sure.

"tywin stressed about north so much that he forgot about the enemies he made in south….. Ever since Elia's murder, I had my eyes on tywin, so when I found about his attack plan on capital, they were already prepared. I knew Raven won't reach in time to make any difference…so that's how it all happened." Oberyn answered viserys gazing at him with his usual grin.

Still, viserys held the same question, from where did they got so many ships? "And how come you managed so many ships, as far as I know, dorne does not hold any strength in the sea" viserys finally asked, again with a quizzical look.

"They were sell-sails, and I think crown would be happy to pay for that" Oberyn said with his wolfish grin. Viserys snorted in his mouth, but he knew he owed his life to Oberyn. Viserys was more than happy to pay in gold, rather than his head.

"Surely" viserys consented to pay for their expenditures. But he knew, dorne would not settle for just gold. Abruptly, Oberyn voiced "well there's one problem,… the thing is, I came to kings landing against my brother's decision, so I don't think he would be happy when I return unless my brother gets something out of it." Oberyn words were precise and well measured. Though viserys already knew dorne would not come cheap, but new revelation shocked him.

"So should I be concerned about Prince Doran's retaliation," viserys said with his wolfish grin.

"Whole westros know about my brother's disgust with violence….so for at the very least, you won't have worry about any type of violent retaliation, other than that I can't say much " Oberyn answered, viserys discerned his meaning well enough. Viper was more clever and swift than his anticipation. But viserys needed Dorne in line beside him.

"As reward for dorne's help in the war, dorne will be granted a seat in king's small council, as one of his principal advisors." Viserys voiced straight. Viserys knew Martells would not refuse his proposal, after all, dorne had been away from king's council for quite long. They would not miss this chance.

"Well, that's good but still not enough to change my brother's mind about hostility and war," Oberyn said with his leering gaze fixed on viserys. Viserys thought place on small council would get martells settled in the south, but maybe he was wrong. Viserys looked at Oberyn with a smiling face.

"I will grant any favor Prince Doran wishes as reward for their support in previous war and for their further allegiance to the crown," Viserys said firmly, he needed dorne on his side. And even more, because Dornish army sits at his shores while he stood negotiating with their prince.

"Well, there is one favor, my brother would undeniably accept," Oberyn said, his eyes held a leering pinch and his face with his annoying grin. Viserys was anxious, surely with a lot of stress too. Viserys eyes bore in Oberyn's onyx one, waiting for his words.

"A betrothal" Oberyn vocalized, his face holding a fox grin. Viserys got reticent.

"A betrothal between who, as far as I know, Prince Doran do not have any child, and neither do you, at least not any trueborn," Viserys said appealingly, but again Oberyn held his fixed look.

"Betrothal between your nephew and our niece" Oberyn's words sounded like a jest though still held serious ground. Viserys was taken aback. He took his time to take that in. The shock was all over his face. But he clutched back to reality.

"Prince Oberyn, I think you had wine early in morning," viserys said with an annoyed look, with anger in his tone.

"No-no, I don't drink in morning, why do you say that," Oberyn said in his sardonic tone, Viserys was getting pissed. He tolerated all of Oberyn's insolence. But things were getting out of line for sure.

"They are sibling for god sake," viserys said, without realizing how ironical that sounded.

"Yeah, another perk of being a Targaryen, I would say" Oberyn continued in his insolent tone, without giving much formality to viserys.

"You can't possibly be asking a betrothal for king as favor,…. I am grateful to you, that's true but still, ...ask anything else and that would be granted" viserys voiced straight and blunt. Viserys held his real character down for quite long, but still, he was a Dragon, and that should not be forgotten.

"I don't see a problem in it,… also did I tell you, that Stannis and renly Baratheon are in Dorne right now." Oberyn dead-panned, viserys head was getting high. He wanted to throw him in black cells along with those traitors. Viserys never perceived Martells would ever ask for such a thing. And if they really held Stannis and renly in dorne, then that would be a great portent. Oberyn gave him few moments to think. Oberyn would have most probably discerned viserys expressions.

"Take some time, and I hope you would make a right call" Oberyn voiced with a sly smile on his face. After that, Oberyn just walked toward the yard. But I suddenly halted and turned.

" And I wish to see my niece, I hope you will see to it, your grace" Oberyn said again in his cynical tone. Oberyn then turned back walked out, leaving viserys furious and fuming with anger.

Viserys Rage was at seventh hell. Oberyn dared to threaten him in his city, in his realm. Viserys was not thinking patently at that time. No one never ever mocked him in such a way. Viserys had one hell of a situation on his hand. 'How dare he threatens me in my city?'

Viserys whole day was marked with Oberyn's word. That took a whole lot of persistence to resist the urge to throw Oberyn in his dungeons. But at last after deaths of thousands, finally, viserys got Lannister and Tyrell on leash, and siding against dorne would not delight him in the least. Viserys sent words to Arthur to get Jon Back to Red keep.

Viserys also met Ned and other at the council, but he did not voiced Oberyn's words in the council. After all, Starks, Tullys or arryns never held stomach for incestuous marriages. But over everything else, that did not felt fit to him. He already had North, and riverrun by Jon, and dorne by Rhaenys, and with Lannister and Tyrells and even stormland out of the race. Viserys wanted strong ties with Vale. He would have arranged pact with Vale already if Jon Arryn had any daughter, but that was not the case.

Viserys understood Oberyn's intentions well. Oberyn wanted Rhaenys to be queen, to hold command over Jon, obviously With Jon younger than Rhaenys. He would play perfectly according to Dorne. Viserys does not want anyone to have such influence on Jon. But that was future. At that time, He had to decide regarding Dorne.

Stormland was also a big concern. They were not seven kingdoms until Stormland returns to the folds. And storm landers may be not as stubborn as northerners, but still quite stubborn to wreak havoc in his realm. Stormland suffered most in Robert's rebellion, and that was the reason for their reticence. And as soon as they recuperate, chaos would reign over westros once again. And in order to prevent further rebellion from stormland, he needed Baratheon on a leash. And last living Baratheons were captive in dorne if Oberyn's words to be trusted. Viserys was in great pandemonium of tantrum and desiderata.

OBERYN

Oberyn's heart was hefty and face beatific. Rhaenys was in front of his eyes. She had her mother's looks. Dark hark, beautiful face, and innocence in her eyes. He could not move his eyes from her for quite some time.

As soon as Oberyn was informed that she had returned to the red keep. He ran to her chamber without wasting a single moment. when he opened the door, finally, Oberyn saw her, sleeping on the bed on her stomach with two little infants beside her. But Oberyn eyes settled only on her. Ser Arthur was also inside the chamber. Oberyn sighted Arthur, identified his swords, to perceive him as Sword of Morning. He held great respect and little bit resentment for him. Great respect for his competence for Killing Gregor clegane and resentment for taking his chance to kill Gregor with his own hands. But Arthur saved his niece more than once, and for that alone Oberyn would be grateful to him. Arthur walked toward him.

"Prince Oberyn" Arthur bowed,

"ser Arthur,….. You took quite long to get them back here, I was waiting the whole day." Oberyn said coyly,

"I apologize for the delay. Prince Oberyn…should I wake her up" Arthur said, pointing towards Rhaenys.

Oberyn looked at her "no, let her rest" his words were low, leaving Arthur he just walked to Rhaenys from side of bed. He sat on the edge, looking at her without a blink. Oberyn moved her dark curls that were on her face, behind her ear, to see her face clearly. She was peaceful, full of light, just like Elia.

But soon Oberyn's eyes turned to the boy next to her, Supposedly Jon Targaryen. Oberyn had seen lyanna stark once, at the tourney that ruined everything. Many presumed his hatred and resentment toward Starks but the only person whom he blamed and resented was Rhaegar Targaryen.

Rhaegar dishonored his sister by getting infatuated with the stark girl when he was already married to Elia and she gave him not one but two beautiful children, his heir. Rhaegar was the root cause of everything. Roberts rebellion, starks rebellion, Elia's and aegon's death, every single thing started because of rhaegar's madness and lust for some northern girl. If not for her sister, Oberyn's spear would have pierced through his heart at the Tourney of Harrenhal when he named lyanna stark, 'queen of beauty and love'.

Oberyn's eyes did not left her face. He did not even paid any attention to Arthur, who stood there whole time clenching his sword. Oberyn knew. Arthur would not trust him with His king's life for sure. Whole time Arthur Just stood still at opposite site of bed, with his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to cut him down, at first sign of danger. But Oberyn had no intention of killing Jon Targaryen. He had other plans for him. However, still, Oberyn was troubled about his proposal between Rhaenys and Jon Targaryen. 'Is it right to decide her future without even considering her thoughts on it,... is he just using her'.

Oberyn also wanted her happiness, 'if Rhaegar would have survived he would have done the same,' he thought, But still, nothing eased his anxiety and guilt. Someday, she would get married, and even then that would not be for love, but Oberyn would make her the queen of seven kingdoms. Elia died or else, she would have been the best Queen in the history of westros. But Rhaenys would be the Queen, her mother would have been. Oberyn only wished for her happiness. And he was certain viserys would concur soon enough, after all, viserys did not had any other choice for sure.

hi guyz, so here is new one, i hope u like it, now since from above u would have grasped one possible pairing in later parts,...now my best part is ned and ashara, i am in love with this ned, total lovesick...i am even considering Ned/ashara reunion, and if things went according to me, it would be in next few chap.

now, follow and favorite ,and leave reviews for sure... and forgive me, 'for sure' is like bad addiction for me. and if u have any question, just ask...

one thing in this fic, i dont have any seven year old arrianne martell in this fic. so please dont bug up on that. though i might get her in later chap.