Chapter One: 297 AC, Pentos
Fourteen Years After The Targaryen Exile
Obara Sand, the eldest of Prince Oberyn Martell's daughters, stood to the side of the training yards of Sunspear, watching as her ada fought three other men in a spar. All the warriors of Dorne had been in heavy training since she was a girl and Obara and her sisters had learned at their fathers knee how to fight. Watching him now, Obara remembered when she was a child and had asked a much beloved person if she would ever be as good. The woman, who Obara loved deeply, had said with practice she though Obara would one day surpass her father. It hadn't happened yet but Obara was determined.
She was no longer the little girl Daella Targaryen had brought to Dorne so many years ago. She was now a woman of twenty and three summers, as tall as her ada and held the beautiful thick black dornish hair of her family. She was not as beautiful as her younger sisters but she was a stunning salty dornish girl. She was dressed in dornish leather armour, trousers, boots and her black hair was braided back tightly and then wrapped into a knot at the back of her neck, keeping it out of her face.
Nymeria stood next to her, slim and slender as a willow, with straight black hair worn in a long braid which pulled back from her widow's peak. She had the dark eyes of their father which are large and lustrous. Her full lips are wine red and curved in a silken smile that matched well with her high cheekbones. Areo Hotah described Nym as having olive skin and how much she looks like their aunt Elia. Nymeria had the obvious beauty that her elder sister Obara lacked but was no less deadly. Although elegant, Nym is also vengeful. Something their ada teases her she got from her naneth, though she had not seen her in years.
Finally, Tyene. She is fair skinned, with golden white hair and deep blue eyes. Dimples bloom in her cheeks, and she has a gentle, sweet voice. Despite her innocent and pious persona, Tyene is regarded as devious and treacherous. Her soft pale hands are just as deadly as Obara's callused ones. She shares her father Oberyn's knowledge of poisons, her chosen weapon. She is also the one who looks the most like naneth and Oberyn had muttered on more than one occasion that Tyene's birth mother could have shared some of the Targaryen blood through the Blackfyre's.
Their sister Sarella is over described as the vision of their father with breasts, only instead of fighting with weapons, she fights with words. Oberyn sometimes jokingly wonders if she is his daughter with her insatiable curiosity. It makes them all laugh as you only have to take one look at her and you know who her father is. Sarella is the smartest of all the Sand Snakes and often the one sent to gather information if their ada does not trust a rider or raven.
They are gather in the training yard of Sunspear, by a table full of refreshments, waiting for their turn on the field. Obara watched as her ada dropped another soldier before Maester Myles arrived and handed her a letter. She took it from him and almost dropped it when she saw the wax seal. It is a blue one with little birds pressed into it. Obara knew that letters like that only came from The Spider to disguise the letters sent from their naneth and her breath caught in her chest.
Their naneth. Obara could remember her mothers face so clearly, her laughter and her gentle hands that had woven through Obara's hair braiding it. She could still remember smiling violet eyes and the soft voice that used to hum to them before they slept. She could still see her ada spinning their naneth into a dance in near the pools in the Water Gardens. She still remembered dancing in the rain during that horrible tourney so many years ago. Obara also remembered the end of the rebellion when their hearts were ripped from their chest and there was a gaping hole in all of them. They all missed her and it was because of him.
Obara had never hated anyone more then she hated Robert Baratheon. The Usurper who had killed her family and made her naneth flee. She also hated his bitch of a wife, Cersei Lannister. They were also responsible for everything that had happened to her Aunt Elia and cousins Rhaenys and Aegon. She had only been to court once since Robert took the Iron Throne and that was shortly after the rebellion ended when Uncle Doran was forced to bend his knee to the Stag King and promise there would be no revenge for what happened to Princess Elia. Everyone with any brains knee he was lying, Dorne would never let the insult House Lannister had paid their house rest until justice had been meted out.
Their naneth had wrote every three moons at first talking to them, missing them, passing information on from Essos until four years ago. Then the surviving Targaryen's minus Prince Viserys and Princess Daenerys decided to travel to the remains of Valyria looking for information. They had had no contact between them in that time. Then at the beginning of the year, they received a letter telling them they had returned to Essos and had found the information they had been seeking. Then their naneth spoke of how they were staying in Astapor hoping to build support for the Targaryen family. They hadn't had a letter since then.
The letter in her hand looked like it had been through a lot though, faded at the edges and crinkled. She waved it catching Nymeria and Tyene's attention. Their eyes widened and they gathered close to their older sister as she cracked the seal to the spiders message.
I have only now been able to send this letter to you. But Jon Arryn is dead and Robert rides North to ask his eldest friend to become his Hand, I have a feeling things are finally come together and plans must be made. – V
The girls shared a look of shock and pleasure. One of the people who pushed their mother away was dead and the other two would soon be in Kings Landing. They hadn't heard about Jon Arryn's death, which was surprising but neither really cared for the old man, he had been part of the alliance that send their naneth into hiding in Essos. Obara took the other piece of parchment, their naneth's letter, and cracked the wax sigil and unfolded it.
My Dearest Sand Snakes,
It has been many moons since our last letter. I write now with all haste; you uncle is being stupid and I must ride to stop his plans. He has sold your Aunt Daenerys to someone, I have yet to find out who and you know as well as I that Westeros would never accept a foreign marriage unless it was a Prince or someone to bring more power. We are getting ready to leave Astapor in a few moments and we are heading to Pentos to stay with Illyrio while I try to figure out what is going on.
I'm writing to you know to let you know that news has reached us about the death of Jon Arryn. I have been successful in building allies across the Narrow Sea and soon we will be ready to return to Westeros. Jacaerys has grown into a fine young man and is soon ready to become the King he was born to be.
I'm sending another letter on to Prince Doran. It is a breaking of the betrothal between Viserys and Arianne. It is not done to demean Dorne, it is done in protection. Viserys has become as unstable as our late father and I would not see another Martell Princess dead because of it. I have also sent orders for him to offer her hand to the Tully Heir. He is a good man and Hoster Tully was always a supporter to the Targaryen Family. I look now to bind those alliances together. I tell you because there is likely to be shouting and fighting soon from the throne room.
I worry for my girls and I miss you.
Oberyn had written after we returned form Valyria that Sarella is in Oldtown undercover at The Citadel, I couldn't help my smile when he told me. I heard the Tyene had taken after her ada with playing with poison. Please be careful. I have heard you have done well in weapons training Nym, good work and keep working hard. Obara, my eldest daughter, you ada wrote that you were actually able to make him yield during one of your spars. I am very proud of you. Oberyn needs his cocky attitude knocked down sometimes.
Things are finally coming together my girls. If things go the way I am hoping, Eddard Stark will become Hand of the King and will go to Kings Landing. Wolves do not do well in the South, they never have. Things will come together soon; I just know it. I look forward to seeing you again sweetlings. I have to go now, but if you want, send a letter to Illyrio, he will make sure I get it as soon as I arrive.
All my love,
Naneth
Their eyes got wider the further they read. When they got to the last part, Obara couldn't help but feel her naneth knew more than she was letting on. That part about wolves, it sounded like her naneth knew something the rest of them didn't. However, the option of being able to write their naneth was to good to pass up. They were able to receive her letters but they had never been allowed to write her back because it wasn't safe over the years.
Obara grinned though as she brushed a finger over her naneth's familiar writing, "Naneth said things should start coming together, what do you think she means?" she wondered as she looked out across the sea towards Essos. Nym gave a slight smile, "I think naneth has had plans in place since the Rebellion and things are just now falling into place. When had naneth ever lied to us?" she asked cleaning off her dagger as she watched her ada duel another soldier to yield.
Tyene frowned, "She never has. But we haven't seen her in fifteen years, she might have changed," she said softly before sitting down at the table. Unfortunately, the second youngest daughter of Visenya wasn't wrong. Their mother had been away from home for a long time and she might have changed in that time, they had. Obara leaned against her spear, "I don't think she has. If she never forgot about us, I don't think she would forget herself. But if everything she has said is the truth, that means she'll be coming home soon," she said, delight filling her as she thought of seeing her naneth again.
"Whose coming home soon?" her ada asked behind her.
Startled, the three spun around to see their ada standing behind them, using a towel tow wipe the sweat from his brow. They hadn't even heard him finish his spar or come up behind them. Now they all looked guilty as they stared at him, Obara with the letter fisted in her hand, Nym had dropped her knife and Tyene was sitting there trying to hold an innocent smile to her face and failing miserably, given none of them could meet his eyes. Oberyn looked at them all individually and frowned at them seriously, viper eyes suspicious.
"Whose going home?" he asked again, a steely tone in his voice.
Obara looked at the letter in her hand and then looked at her ada, who had followed her eyes and seen the Targaryen sigil on the wax, making his heart jump into his throat. "Naneth wrote us," Obara said with a harsh swallow. Happiness and sadness filled his eyes all at the same time as he held his hand out, asking to see the letter without saying a word. Obara handed the letter over and then watched his face go through the emotions, happiness, anger, sadness, hurt and then happiness again as he read it before he looked up at the girls.
"Sounds just like your naneth," he said softly his eyes glassy.
Oberyn felt the hole in his heart as keenly then as he did when she had to leave him. He also felt guilt fill him. His four oldest daughters called Visenya their mother, but his youngest four didn't even know about her. To keep her and the Sand Snakes safe, Doran had banned her name from even being spoken in the court and anyone who had known about their relationship had been threatened or blackmailed into silence.
He also felt guilt about his Paramour Ellaria. The mother of his four youngest daughters. She was the bastard daughter of Harmen Uller, Lord of Hellholt. They had met in 284 AC when he was still mourning his love being forced to flee. Nine months later, Elia had come into their lives. Ellaria had kept the loneliness away from him but he never loved her as he would a wife. She never asked him for marriage and Oberyn was thankful for that. He already had a wife in his heart. He knew that Visenya had told him not to wait for her but Oberyn knew no matter what, knowing he had a paramour and children with said paramour, would hurt her.
Guilt swelled in him at the very thought.
His eyes met Obara's, the one who remembered their mother most and Obara smiled, "I can't wait to see her," she whispered softly, her two sisters echoing her. Oberyn and the girls each smiled thinking about her before Aero came out onto the grounds. He rushed to Oberyn, "My prince needs to see you," he said, hurrying Oberyn away from his daughters before he could say anything. The girls all shared a look before bursting into laughter at the look that had crossed their ada's face and started to practice again. Obara faced off with her fathers close friend and old squire Daemon, who had decided to stay in Sunspear after becoming a Knight and a grin crossed her face as she lunged. She would see her naneth soon.
~!~
Oberyn entered the throne room at a fast walk and turned to where Doran was sitting in his chair and Arianne was standing before him, dressed in Martell yellow, a golden circlet with a sun on her head. He had never seen them look so serious with each other, even when Doran falsely offered her horrid marriage prospects among the dornish houses. He walked over to his brother and bowed his head in greeting, "You wanted me?" he requested information as to why. Doran grimaced, "A raven came from the Queen Regent. The betrothal has been broken and a new one offered," he explained darkly. Oberyn nodded, "I heard. Visenya has written to the girls. Who did she offer?" he asked already knowing.
Arianne smiled smugly, "Edmure Tully, Heir of Riverrun" she said watching her father frown again. The future Lord of Riverrun was a few years her elder but a good match from one of the Great Houses. She had asked her father many times over the years why he only offered her minor dornish houses to marry into instead of Willas Tyrell or Edmure Tully and he never had an answer for her. With the letter that had just arrived from the Queen Regent, ending her betrothal to Viserys Targaryen, she understood a lot better but was still upset with her father.
Oberyn nodded, "It's a good match Doran," he said gently. Doran scowled, "It is a good match, but not to a Prince or King. I wanted her to have the crown Elia should have," he explained, though Oberyn already knew all that. Arianne's temped spiked at his words, "I am not Aunt Elia! I am Arianne Martell; I am not her and I never will be!" She exclaimed angrily at her father. Doran's face fell into grief for a few seconds before smoothing out, "I never wanted you to be her," he whispered. Her face softened, "I know. But papa, you keep saying I will marry the Targaryen Prince. That never turned out well for Aunt Elia. I don't want to constantly wonder if I am enough for my husband," she explained softly.
Fury crossed Doran's face at the thought of anyone treating his only daughter the way his sister had been treated. Then he calmed down and watched his daughter intently for a few seconds, "What do you want then Ari?" he asked softly. Arianne Martell's eyes sparkled and she smiled at her father, "I want to meet Edmure Tully before I decide. But you should write to Lord Tully and tell him that my betrothal has fallen through and I would like to meet his son," she explained waiting for her father to blow up again. Instead, he just nodded, "Okay. Arianne, you cannot tell anyone who you were betrothed to before now. It could bring war to Dorne before we're ready for it," he said warningly.
Arianne nodded before quickly leaving the room, happiness almost exploding out of her. Ever since she had found out she was to marry Viserys Targaryen, she wondered if he would be like the Mad King or Rhaegar who had taken another women not his wife. She was thankful that Visenya Targaryen had intervened on her behalf because she would have sooner slit Viserys throat than be put through what her aunt Elia had gone through.
~!~
Later that evening, Doran wrote to the Lord of Riverrun.
Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident,
I write to you wondering if you proposal for your heir Edmure and my daughter Arianne was still open to you. Arianne's betrothal has fallen through just recently and I would not blame you for denying my request. However, Arianne has expressed her desire to meet Edmure Tully, to find if they may be compatible before any plans are made or finalized. I am writing now to see what you make of the idea.
Hope you are in good health,
Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne
~!~
It was a small party that finally arrived in Pentos, two weeks after Visenya wrote to Dorne. She arrived without ceremony with Ser Gerald Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent, Ser Arthur Dayne, Lillian Flowers and Prince Jacaerys, heir to the Iron Throne on horse back. People had greeted them upon entering Pentos but she was in a hurry. They were now coming upon Illyrio's estate when she heard hoof beats behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see four dark skinned riders coming up from behind them and realized they would arrive at Illyrio's just behind them. She shared a look with Ser Gerald and they urged their horses to move faster, she needed to know what was going on.
When they entered the courtyard, Visenya noted Illyrio was frowning at Viserys. Her younger brother was standing beside the Magister, dressed in Targaryen colors and an air of arrogance hanging around him. Daenerys was standing on the step below him in a gown so thin it showed off every shadow and cure of her body, her long white hair was free down her back. It had been years since the last time Visenya had saw them, as they had gone to Valyria and Ser Willam Darry had died leaving them to fend for themselves.
Even from the distance, Visenya could tell Daenerys was not happy and the elder Targaryen couldn't help but fear what had happened in the years since they had all last been together. She swung from her horse, the others following and stalked towards her siblings, "What are you wearing?" she demanded once she got close enough for Viserys to hear her. She rushed towards a stunned Daeny and took her younger sister into her arms. At the sight of her elder sister, Daenerys felt nothing but relief as she slumped into her arms. Visenya would protect her from Viserys.
Jacaerys came forward and without a word, wrapped his black cloak around his aunts shoulders as Visenya spun on her heel to face her younger brother, mouth tight and rage coursing through her body. Daenerys trembled at the look on Visenya's face and Viserys, who was beginning to look very afraid at the arrival of their elder sister. "Jace take Daeny inside, get her out of that dress and put her in something more presentable," the Queen Regent ordered stalking towards her wayward little brother.
The Prince of the Seven Kingdoms did exactly what he was ordered. He escorted Daenerys inside without protest and Daario Naharis, the leader of the Stormcrows following them protectively from behind. The Stormcrows had been a surprise they weren't expecting after returning from Valyria. They had met outside of Astapor and they had parlayed as she asked them to fight for her in Westeros, offering them riches and titles once Kings Landing was reclaimed. Prendahl n Ghezn, Sallor the Bald and Daario Naharis, arrived as the captains to treat with her. Prendahl had asked for the night to think it over. However, in the middle of the night Daario had brought her their heads and pledged the Stormcrows to her cause because he believed in her after seeing the way she inspired the knights in her service. Daario had seen something in the Dragon Queen that day and hadn't regretted his decision since, especially after Visenya had gifted him and his men three million gold dragons to pay for their services.
With the alliance between them, the three Great Houses loyal to her in Westeros and her alliance with Volantis and Norvos, thanks to Doran Martell's wife, she felt they had a real chance to win back her families throne.
Now as she stalked towards Viserys, her anger was almost a living flame in her violet eyes. Fear flashed across his face as she stopped in front of him glaring, "What do you think your doing Viserys?" she demanded as Illyrio's signed in relief. He had not wanted to go along with this plan in the first place, it was why he had written to Visenya as soon as he could. He had taken in the two Targaryen children the year before as a favor to the Queen Regent and had learned a lot of thing he wished he didn't know. Like the fact, Viserys was much like his father, the Mad King. He was surprised Visenya had arrived in time, given it usually took a moons turn to get from Astapor to Pentos.
Though frightened, Viserys anger outweighed his fear and he snarled, looking very much like their mad father, before speaking, "What am I doing? I am buying an army to take across the Narrow Sea and win back the Iron Throne, like you should have done years ago. I am the Dragon; I do not answer to you. You are a bastard of a minor hour and are not a Princess or anything of the Targaryen Family. I am true King! Bend your knee now," he shouted before pulling a sword on her, eyes wild with madness.
Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell and Ser Gerald all drew their swords ready to protect her. Visenya held out her hand halting them and then stroke out with her hand, depriving Viserys of his sword and then kicking his feet out from under him. Viserys ended up kneeling in front of his bastard sister who had her lips pulled back into a snarl, "I am Visenya Targaryen, Princess of Summerhall, Second of My Name, of Houses Targaryen and Umber, Queen Regent of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and Beloved Mother of the Sand Snakes. I was named so by Rhaella Targaryen, my mother and you. You are no dragon little brother and you gave up any claim you had on the throne," she snarled her claim at him before she took a step back leaving him kneeling on the ground.
The sound of a gasp drew their attention. Daenerys was standing in the doorway, dressed much more appropriately in a purple gown with Jacaerys and Daario standing behind her. Jacaerys grinned at the women who raised him in approval as he watched his uncle try to rise to his feet. He had wanted to punch his uncle the last few times he had seen him because he knew that his uncle abused his aunt, even if she hid it well. Visenya had known too but could do nothing about it as they couldn't risk bringing attention to themselves. If she had tried to punish Viserys all those years ago, Visenya had no doubt that Viserys would have found a way to bring the usurpers attention to them. She knew that whatever had happened was going to cause lots of fireworks.
They heard horse hoofs on the cobblestone street, reminding Visenya of the riders she had seen coming up behind them, and turned towards the entrance. Daenerys moved to stand beside her sister, "Viserys sold me to Khal Drogo to try and gain an army," she whispered as their eyes landed on four dark skinned men riding on horses coming to a stop next in the entrance. Daenerys heard the shocked breath from her sister before the dark eyes of the Dothraki landed on them and widened in surprise.
Like most Dothraki, Khal Drogo has copper-colored skin, long black hair, and black eyes. He was tall and muscular, and moved gracefully even in the saddle. He had a long, drooping moustache and a long braid hung with tiny bells that hung down to his thighs, symbolizing his status among the Dothraki as an undefeated warlord. He was also someone Visenya knew well, though they had not seen each other in four years.
"Drogo," she called in Dothraki.
Khal Drogo, the Khal of Khal's looked away from the silver haired beauty at the sound of his name and his eyes widened. She was standing there, as beautiful as he had last seen her, curly hair hanging down around her thighs, dressed in riding cloths and her violet eyes smiling at him. He dismounted quickly, hearing the whispers of his bloodriders behind him and strode over to her. She met him halfway wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and he picked her up off her feet, hugging her tightly in greeting.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered to her in his mother tongue as he released her and dropped her to her feet. The smile never left her face as she gazed up at him, "Daenerys Targaryen is my little sister," she explained. Drogo pulled away in surprise before looking to the small blonde-haired beauty standing next too a man and a boy he knew very well, it was his riding brother Jace. "Brother," he called out, please to see his adoptive brother once more. Jacaerys swung around to face them before rushing over to join their group. The bloodriders that had traveled with Drogo joined him in greeting Visenya.
"Drogo, it is good to see you again. I was sorry to hear about your father," Jacaerys greeted in perfect Dothraki. Visenya lost her smile and Drogo's face darkened at his words. His father had been killed four years before just after the Targaryen party had split from the Horde. They had been looking for Visenya, and when his father denied knowing her, the assassin had killed him but Drogo never blamed her for it. If his father would have had his way, Visenya would have been his Khaleesi, but because she could not bear a child, and it wasn't from lack of trying, she refused. Drogo lost count of how many times he walked in or seen them having sex over the years. They used to watch it happen in the open in Vaes Dothrak, their sacred city but Visenya would never consent to marriage.
Now he stared at her, she didn't look much older then when he had last seen her but he would swear she was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her. He then looked to the women he had arranged to marry and he was angry. She looked like a women freshly flowered and he could see the thought of this marriage terrified her. So, he looked to Visenya who watched with a small smile, "I will not take her against her will. Ask her if she will accompany us to Vaes Dothrak and if she still agrees, we will wed. If she does not, there will be no ill will to her from my part. They told me she was older than this and ready to wed; it is the only reason I consented" he said in Dothraki. Visenya nodded and then moved away to speak with Daenerys as the rest of her party greeted their Dothraki friends.
"Daeny," she said softly drawing her little sisters attention.
Daenerys looked to her curiously, "He has asked if you will accompany him to Vaes Dothrak, their sacred city, to learn of their people. If you are agreeable to it later, you shall wed. If you do not want to wed at all, that is alright too," she explained to her terrified sister. As she spoke Daenerys tensed, waiting for the part where she would have no choice but to wed the savage man and then relaxed at the end. After she was finished speaking Daenerys looked to Drogo for the first time without fear in her eyes and offered a timid smile to him to convey her thanks. Then she turned to her sister, "Why offer me this?" she asked seriously. What did he want in return for her not wedding him? She wondered.
Visenya's face turned sad, "When we arrived in Essos and separated, we lived with Drogo's Horde. His father Bharbo, took us in. About a year after we met, Bharbo and I became lovers. Slowly, I was able to show them that their way of life was acceptable but raping women and having no respect for them, was a mistake. I took five of his riders at once and I won. Their behavior began to change. I was close with Drogo; he was almost a man grown but we were still close. Eventually Bharbo asked me to wed him and I declined as I couldn't bare a child. It was not from lack of trying either. So, I declined his request and to make life easier for all, we began planning to leave. He was killed six moons after we went to Valyria. We only found out after we returned," she explained their history of the last fourteen years and then smiled as Daenerys soaked up each word, reminding the dark-haired Targaryen of their mother Rhaella.
Daenerys thought about it for a few moments, shooting frequent looks at Drogo who was speaking too Jacaerys and finally nodded in agreement, "Will you be accompanying us?" she asked softly without looking at Viserys who had stood up and was now glaring at everyone, Daario watching him closely. Visenya smiled and turned to Drogo, "Drogo, do you have room for more riders?" she called in Dothraki, stopping all movement in the courtyard. She knew he could speak some common tongue, but felt more comfortable using his mother tongue. Drogo smirked at her, "For the Dragon Khaleesi?" he asked with a mock disapproving look, "Always," he said, his face smoothing into a smile. She knew he meant it too.
Plans were made to come together the next day to celebrate their reunion and then they would begin their journey to Vaes Dothrak. That night as Daenerys slept peacefully with a guard of Stormcrows outside her door; Viserys plotted murder and Illyrio caught Visenya up on everything she had missed from Westeros, speaking of the preparations those loyal to her have been doing for the last fourteen years. Varys sent a letter about Ned Stark becoming Hand of the King and his eleven-year-old daughter Sansa becoming engaged to Prince Joffrey. Although Visenya knew he was actually a bastard son of incest between the Queen and the Kingslayer.
Visenya went to sleep that night thinking of her daughters and how badly she wanted to see them. For the first time in years, she dreamed of Dorne and Oberyn, the love of her life. She hoped above anything, one day they might come back together. For now though, she had a war to wage and a crown to win.
~!~
Doran of House Martell, Prince of Dorne
I was surprised to receive your letter. I am sorry to hear of the breaking of your daughters betrothal. We have heard rumors of your daughters beauty and Edmure would very much like to meet her before anything is arranged. He always hated that his wife would be chosen for him, knowing there is a women who agreed with him, has made him very excited to meet your daughter. I would like to invite Arianne to Riverrun in two moons so they may meet and we could discuss arrangements at a later date. If this is agreeable to you, please send reply and tell me who I am expecting.
Waiting eagerly,
Hoster Tully, Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Trident
~!~
That night after supper, Obara was heading to her room when she was ambushed by Ellaria Sand, their ada's paramour. When they had first met, she had been kind wanting to make a good impression on their ada. Later after Elia had been born, she turned into a bitch wanting them to treat her like their mother. After Obara got in her face about them already having a mother, someone they missed very much and would come back to them one day, killed any chance of them getting along.
That's not to say the Sand Snakes hated their younger siblings, they didn't, they loved the little ones. But they hated Ellaria Sand and her behaviours too all Oberyn's elder children. Obara had lost count of how many times she had gone to her ada about something only for Ellaria to brush it off and their ada to tell them not to bother them again. It had got to the point, Obara was only around her ada when they were on the training field or during court. She missed the man he had been before Aunt Elia had been murdered and their mother forced to run for her life.
Nymeria and Tyene had given up trying to keep their ada aware of everything going on around him, because he always brushed them off. Sarella had gotten so fed up with Ellaria and ada's behaviours that she spent as much time as possible outside of Dorne, breaking her elder sisters hearts. Their naneth had made them promise to watch out for each other no matter what and it was hard to watch Sarella when she stayed away from home as much as possible.
"What do you want Ellaria?" she asked exasperated, hands itching to go for the dagger at her waist.
Ellaria gave a sly smile, "I noticed that you looked upset at dinner. I just wanted to ask if there was something you needed to speak about?" she asked, her insides burning with curiosity and jealousy. At that moment red hot fury blew through Obara, "If I need to talk to someone I will write my mother," she snapped before turning to walk away. Ellaria grinned at her back, "I am your mother, or at least I will be. Your father asked me to marry him," she said in triumph. Obara froze, unable to move. Why would her father ask Ellaria to marry him after all these years? He always said that Visenya was the wife of his heart but now that she thought about it she couldn't remember the last time she had heard him say that.
Obara spun around the anger making her eyes flash just like her ada's, making the woman take a startled step back and she snarled, "You may become his wife, but you will never be my mother. You will never be Nymeria's mother or Tyene or Sarella's. We will always love her, we will always need her and we will never leave her," she spat between clenched teeth. Then she felt hands taking hers and turned to see Nymeria and Tyene looking at Ellaria from either side of her.
Nymeria had heard furious words being spat at someone from two hallways away and had rushed with Tyene down to where Obara was speaking. To see Ellaria with Obara made their blood pump with fury too. They hated the bitch and had tried to tell their ada many times, only to be turned away. Part of them hoped she was still around when their naneth returned because Visenya wouldn't tolerate the disrespect Ellaria constantly paid them and the other part hoped she was gone because they knew, knowing ada had a paramour would hurt her. Once upon a time, they had tried to be friendly with her but now they just did everything in their power to avoid her. They knew if she was seeking Obara out, it only meant trouble.
Unknowing to all present, one of Varys little birds heard the whole thing and knew that it's master needed to know what was going on between the Sand Snakes and Prince Oberyn's paramour. As the girls retired to their rooms, as a furious Ellaria made her way to Oberyn's rooms, a small child was passing information to someone at the docks that would make sure the information ended up in the spiders hands.
After all, Visenya would never allow anyone to disrespect her daughters.