Chapter Three: 297 AC, Water Gardens, Dorne

It took three weeks for her letter to reach the Martell's, who were breaking their fast when Maester Caleotte delivered it. Oberyn took it with an air of suspicious until he saw the wax seal, then his heart dropped to his feet. It had been years since Visenya had written directly to him, usually addressing her letters to their daughters. He understood the need for distance given he was in Westeros and she was across the Narrow Sea in Essos, but he had missed her. He broke the seal after a quick look from Doran and unfolded the three pieces of parchment the made up the letter.

My dearest Oberyn,

I know I haven't written to you just to write you in many years and now that shames me. I know that this letter can't heal hurts that have been given but I hope it can ease some of the pain. I know I wrote to the girls, but I was in such a rush to travel to Pentos that I was unable to write you as well.

We arrived in time to save my sister. Viserys has become as mad as our late father, he arranged for Daenerys to marry the Khal of a Dothraki horde. I arrived at the same time the Khal did, only to learn that Khal Drogo was the new Khal of the horde we had traveled with when Jacaerys was but a babe. We have joined the Khal to journey to Vaes Dothrak, for I know something will happen there that we must be present for.

I know I can trust you with the information I am about to give you.

When we were in Valyria, we found dragon eggs and I learned why the dragons stopped hatching for us. I also learned that I could have dragon dreams, something that shows me possible paths that will happen. This surprises you I know. You've never been one for magic nor tricks. There is a great war coming to Westeros Oberyn, I don't know when it will start but I know it will be soon. If you want to get involved, support the North over anyone. They are the ones who will have the greatest success during it. I know that Doran has offered Arianne to Edmure Tully. I think the match would be highly successful. I see many children in their future.

I know Highgarden is loyal to the Targaryen's still. I would suggest you ask for one of Lord Tyrell's daughters, Margaery or Ryanne to marry Trystane. I know Olenna wants one of her grand daughters to be Queen. However, I think Jacaerys has chosen his bride. Roslin Frey has been sent to us and has become a lady-in-waiting to Daenerys. He's been fascinated with her since they met and they seem to get on well. I have not talked with Lord Frey yet but we shall see what happens in the next few moons.

I also write to tell you that I believe we shall be seeing each other again soon. At least I hope we will. I miss you and our daughters. While we were is Astapor I asked a jeweller to make something for the Sand Snakes, a late name day gift if you will. I send them to you now in the package delivered to you with this letter. Open it now and give the gifts out. They are the small packages wrapped in purple.

There is one for each of the Sand Snakes.

Oberyn paused his reading and opened the large package that had been delivered with the letter. He pulled out eight small individually wrapped boxes and handed them to each of his daughters, even his younger four. Doran, Trystan, Arianne and Ellaria watched cautiously as they took them. Obara looked at hers, it was wrapped in a deep purple ribbon and she knew instantly who it was from. She looked to her ada and he smiled, "Go ahead and open them," he assured them. The four oldest took their ribbons off and opened the lids of the boxes. They all gasped, inside was a velvet pillow with a beautifully crafted alive looking red viper choker with deep violet eyes and bared fangs. Oberyn inhaled sharply when Obara spun the case so he could see, it was like Deja' vu to see it. He had had the one Visenya herself was wearing made there in Dorne.

Ellaria then allowed her daughters to open their boxes, inside were matching small bracelets of a red viper with one black and one purple eye. Elia smiled at hers with pleasure, she had never received a gift before from someone other then their father before and she liked how the Red Viper represented her father.

"Who sent them?" Ellaria asked admiring the craftsmanship of Obella's.

Obara smirked and her eyes glittered with glee, "Our mother did," she said simply before turning back to her ada. She didn't notice Ellaria's face sour, but Doran did and he had to hide his smile for what the good sister of his heart had done. She had acknowledged all of Oberyn's daughters, even though the younger four weren't hers. Ellaria glared at the letter in Oberyn's hands, as though he needed another reminder of the woman he loved. She was tempted to grab her daughters bracelets and toss them out to sea. However, seeing the look of delight on their faces, she hid her scorn and seethed in silence. Oberyn collected the next box, which was very small and seemed to be padded. He opened up the letter to continue reading wondering what else Visenya had sent along.

The smallest box is a gift for you. Be very careful with it, its fragile. I brought it back with me from Valyria and I couldn't think of a better person to give it too. It is a very rare and surprising find. Jacaerys practically jumped with glee when we found it. That right there in your hand is basilisk venom.

Oberyn dropped the letter onto the table and jumped to untie the ribbon, which he tied around his wrist to Ellaria's displeasure, and opened the box. Inside was a small velvet case, when he opened to see a small vile no bigger than his thumb was resting inside. It was filled with a slightly green liquid and he knew that only one drop would kill someone in anywhere from thirty seconds to two minutes. Tyene looked at it curious, "What is it ada?" she wondered. She knew almost ever poison known to man but she had never seen this one before. Oberyn's laugh was slightly hysterical as he looked at the little vial, "It's basilisk venom," he explained.

Doren inhaled sharply, "Where in the seven hells did she find that?" he wondered aloud as he looked at the vial. All the records of history said that basilisk's were extinct. Oberyn smirked at him, "She went to her ancestors home and brought many treasures back," he explained everything without actually saying anything. Doran knew he meant she had gone to the ruins of Valyria. Most of the houses still loyal to the Targaryen's were well aware of their journey to see the ruins of their ancestral home before the Doom. Oberyn placed the vial down in its safe little case and then picked the letter back up, desperate to know what else Visenya had to say.

I know many people would say I'm crazy for giving the Red Viper this but I could think of no one more deserving. There are gifts left for Doran, Arianne and Trystan inside. It took me forever to find something for each of them. Then I discovered something in Valyria. The potion inside the smallest box is for Doran, it will cure the gout and allow him to walk again. He must put five drops in a hot tub of water and then soak his feet everyday for one moon for an hour, then he needs to spread the paste on his feet every night before he sleeps, he should be up and walking at the end of the four weeks.

Oberyn's mouth dropped in surprise before he handed the letter to Doran to read the paragraph as he looked for the box with the miracle inside. He opened the smallest one, that had a large D scrawled across the top in ink, to see a vial full of red liquid twice the size as the one he received and a tin of paste beside it on velvet bedding. Doran looked away from the letter in shock and over to Oberyn who handed the box to Doran. He took it with reverence and placed it in his lap, holding it tightly with white knuckled hands. His dearest wish had been to walk again and Visenya had just given that back to him. He knew it would work because she never would have sent him something she was unsure about. Oberyn nodded in understanding and took the letter back to continue.

I already sent Quentyn his gift, for I know he was to be fostered by the Yornwood's, a jewelled Valyrian steel sword that was found in Valyria. Now it took forever for me to find something for Arianne and Trystane but I would not gift one without gifting another. I finally found something in Pentos for Arianne, it is in the second biggest box. Let her open it now.

Oberyn stopped again and handed the mentioned box to his niece, she accepted it with a curious look on her face. As she pulled the purple ribbon, anticipation filled her. Ellaria watched with growing anger and jealously filling her, she wanted Oberyn's attention on her and no one else. She knew Oberyn had asked her to marry him in a night of passion, while completely drunk, but nothing had been mentioned since then. Now she wasn't sure of her place in his life. Arianne opened to box and gasped. Inside were two beautiful arm cuff shaped like snakes with obsidian eyes and two beautifully carved stiletto blades, with the Martell sun on top encrusted with diamonds, with a small note next to them, wear them in your hair, you'll never be without a weapon. – Aunt V Along side the bottom of the box was a jewelled dagger with a thigh sheath, she showed her father and he laughed nodding his head in acceptance. The Sand Snakes gathered to see what was inside and they all cooed in excitement, Nymeria slightly jealous that she got something so practical.

Oberyn turned back to his letter again, desperately wondering what else was in Visenya's box of surprises and miracles.

I hope she likes them. They were specially made for her and the design was given to the blacksmith by Jacaerys. He said he wishes her well with her future marriage and hopes to meet the beautiful Dornish Princess soon. Now for Trystane we decided he deserved something special as the only boy among my daughters. Inside the last package is a sword, it was wielded by a Targaryen thousands of years ago and survived the Doom.

He handed the last package to his nephew, who took it with excitement. Trystane wondered what he had gotten from the four eldest Sand Snakes mother. He had always been curious about who she was. He had been born during the Rebellion and had never had the chance to meet her. He pulled off the ribbon and opened the box, a gasp left him before as he dropped the lid on the ground. Inside resting on a velvet pillow was a beautifully crafted Valyrian Sword. The pommel was shaped as a dragons head and the wings spread out on either side of it bedazzled with jewels. Along side the shining blade were words written in Valyrian the mother tongue of the Targaryen family. He traced the writing with his finger, 'I am the blood of the dragon' the other side said 'Valyria' and he knew that the women was a Targaryen. He also figured if no one knew that the Martell's were protecting her. He also knew he would keep the secret. Visenya had no idea she had just gained a loyal supporter to the Targaryen cause.

"I will stand with her," he said to his family in Valyrian. Ellaria didn't understand a single word of the language. She was the spoiled bastard daughter of Lord Uller but had never bothered to take advantage of that and learn more languages. Even Oberyn as a second son, had learned Valyrian and the other languages of the Free Cities on top of learning ancient Rhoynish. He had made sure all of his daughters had done the same and would continue that with Elia, Obella, Loreza and Dorea. Obara smiled when she looked confused and then looked at her ada who had returned back to his letter.

I know these gifts can't make up for the years lost between us Oberyn, but I hope they will bring you joy and remind you of me. I know things will soon come to a head and the Targaryen will soon return home. Jacaerys has grown into a fine young man and he has great respect for women. He has sworn he will never treat a women as his father and grandfather treated them. He is greatly ashamed of them and he wondered how he can repay your family for the wrong his father did. I have had no idea what to tell him. That debt must be settled between him and Dorne.

I hope to have my nephew married before we return to Westeros. I will not throw him to the wolves. From what I have seen Roslin Frey is a kind women who would do well as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She is filled with a courage many women lack and I know she will always knock sense into my nephew. I hope to return to Dorne one day soon and see our daughters and I hope, at the least, you'll greet me as a friend and at the best, as the love of your life.

I miss you Oberyn, so much.

Now and Always yours,

V

Oberyn's emotions were all over the place as he finished her letter. He had been surprised when a letter had arrived for him. He had been even more surprised when he saw the white sigil of a striking viper intertwined with a single headed dragon. It was the crest he had discussed using as their families with Visenya many years before. He glanced at the choker his three eldest daughters were wearing, it looked almost like the snake was alive wrapped around their throats. It reminded him of the anklet he as wrapped around Visenya's ankle the last time they had been together. He also remembered promising her they would be together again forever when Robert's Rebellion started.

The words now and always brought forward memories of their past and a sharp pain echoed inside of him. Instead of shoving it into the back of his mind as he used to or turning to Ellaria to take his mind away from the feelings, he allowed himself to feel it. He knew she would be angry with him about Ellaria, but he knew she would never hate his daughters. It was why she had sent along the jewels to all eight of them. He knew he would need to send Sarella's to her in Oldtown. She had much anger to Ellaria. Sarella had been a little girl when Ellaria came into their life, but Sarella had grown up on stories of her naneth and had refused to accept anyone but her. He missed the wife of his heart so much.

Oberyn knew that things were changing and he needed to breathe. He handed Doran the letter before getting up from the table and walking away towards the training yard without a word. Obara followed him, linking their arms together and resting her head on his arm. "Don't worry ada, naneth would never hate you," she said. Those words proving to Oberyn, his eldest daughter really did know him to well, and that she remembered her naneth well enough to speak the truth. He pulled her into his arms and rested his forehead against hers, "I miss your naneth more then anything. I hope to see her soon," he whispered to her, confessing his deepest desire. Obara wrapped her arms tight around her ada, he had been so distant from the elder girls since he met Ellaria. She was glad for the time they had together now as they headed to the training yard.

Everyone could feel change coming and not all were happy about it. Ellaria Sand glared at the back of Oberyn's head as he walked away with Obara and Doran watched silently laughing. He had never liked the daughter of Lord Uller, thinking her greedy and manipulative. Now that Visenya was bringing all the pieces together, Doran knew she wouldn't stay in Essos much longer. He knew the moment he was alone; he would laugh himself silly.

He also had a letter to write to the Tyrell's, because Visenya's idea was sound and it would bind three Great Houses together under her banner.

~!~

Walder Frey, Lord of the Crossing,

It would seem that my intent of bringing one of your daughters to Essos to serve my sister Daenerys as a lady-in-waiting was a smart one. Your daughter is beautiful happy young girl Lord Frey. She has bonded well with my sister and I am proud to see her in my family's company. It would seem my nephew agrees with me and has begun to nurture a crush on your daughter. I'm very happy with this match Walder. I wish to wait to see how Roslin feels about it before I broach the offer of a betrothal between the two of them. If it happens, they shall be wed before we return to Westeros, I will not have either one of them in danger after we arrive. I write to tell you that the plans we have made over the year are beginning to be put in motion. When the fighting starts as I know it soon will, I want you to support the North. I don't care how you do it but that is an order. The North shall be the ones that help us win the war.

I hope you are in good health Walder, for the future of Westeros is soon going to change. I need you alive for what is to come. The Frey's have been loyal to my family since they conquered the Seven Kingdoms. Your family will soon be rewarded.

Sincerely,

Visenya, of the House Targaryen, Second of My Name, Princess of Summerhall, Queen Regent of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm and Beloved Mother of the Sand Snakes.

Walder Frey put the letter down grinning with delight. His little Ros could some day become Queen. He was pleased with this and knew he would need to write her so find out how she felt. He was a little surprised at Visenya's order to aid the North. But he knew she would never do anything to put the return of the Targaryen's in danger. He knew he needed to begin making allies and plans. He knew Dorne would be the first to answer the call to arms from Visenya, he was pretty sure the North would follow. The heir to the Iron Throne's mother was of the North and so was Visenya's mother. He knew that if anyone found that out, war would break out as only few knew the truth about what really happened before Robert's Rebellion. But from the tone of the letter, he knew Visenya was expecting a war to break out soon.

He laughed as he shouted for a feast to be prepared. Yes, soon his family would be one of the most powerful ones in Westeros if Visenya won the war. Walder had never known her to fail at anything she put her mind too and Walder would bet within the next five years, a Targaryen would once more sit on the Iron Throne. If it was Jacaerys or Visenya, only time would tell.

~!~

Mace Tyrell, Lord Of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South,

I write to you on the word of our Queen. She has told me things are beginning to fall into place. Now is the time to build allies and join our houses. I would like to propose betrothal between your eldest daughter Lady Ryanne Tyrell and my son Prince Trystane Martell, who will become the ruling Prince of Dorne after my daughter Arianne weds Edmure Tully, heir of Riverrun. The wedding would not take place until she returns to Westeros as she would like to be here for it, but a betrothal could be arranged between the two. Please answer me back soon.

Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne

Olenna Tyrell looked at the letter her son had handed her and then looked at her family all gathered together in Mace's solar. Willas, Ryanne, Margaery and Loras were all sitting together facing her, Mace was sitting behind his desk unable to speak and his wife Alerie was watching Olenna with surprised eyes. Garlan was off with his wife and Olenna had sent someone off to fetch him after Mace received the letter. They had been loyal to the Targaryen's since they were made Lords of the Reach and it had burned all of them when Mace had been forced to dip his banners to Eddard Stark. Olenna had kept in contact with Visenya as well as she could over the years but this letter, this was their first order from their Queen Regent.

To bind the Tyrell and Martell families together.

Her granddaughter Ryanne was the twin sister of Margaery, born during the latter half of Robert's rebellion. They were identical, except for their hair. Margaery's hair was a light brown, the same shade as her mothers, while Ryanne's hair was such a dark brown it looked black, which she inherited from her paternal grandfather. They both bore the blue eyes of the Hightower's and they were beautiful girls. Ryanne preferred the more conservative gowns in darker colors and Margaery loved the more provocative gowns of Highgarden in bright colors.

In such a situation, Oleena would have said no and offered Margaery, who would have done well in Dorne due to their culture but the Queen Regent said the eldest daughter, which was Ryanne. She looked at her granddaughters and signed heavily, "Well it seems the game is finally afoot. The Queen moves her pieces on the board and now it is time for us to respond. Visenya has ordered us to build a closer alliance with Dorne, wedding Ryanne to the heir while Princess Arianne moves to become Lady of the Riverlands. Three loyal families now bound together in matrimony, except for the Targaryen's to the Tyrell's. This makes me wonder what is in store for our Margaery," she said bluntly.

Willas rubbed a hand over his chin, "The only thing I could think of to bind our families would be for Prince Jacaerys to wed Margaery," he began and a light entered the younger Tyrell girls eyes. She had always wanted to be Queen. However, her brothers next words brought that down, "But if a marriage was in the cards Ryanne would be the one they asked for as the eldest, instead we are being asked to offer to the Dorne, the crowns closest ally. I don't see how that works," he admitted softly.

Olenna nodded proudly, "Well done Willas. Word has come from Essos that Prince Jacaerys has already chosen a bride," she began but was cut off by Mace, "He would wed a foreign woman over our Margaery?" he blubbered. Olenna rolled her eyes, "Don't be an oaf Mace. Visenya knowns Westeros would never accept a foreign Queen. The Lady in question is from Westeros," she said knocking her cane against the back of his head. Loras's eyes widened, "But who? As heir to the throne his bride would be a high price and as far as I know, no one has sent their daughters across the Narrow Sea. Lord Stark and his daughters are in Kings Landing, not to mention he would never turn his back on the usurper. There are no daughters about the Tully's or Arryn's. Arianne Martell is going to wed Edmure Tully, leaving no trueborn girl from the Martell's. I don't see Queen Visenya allowing her nephew to wed Myrcella Baratheon or anyone from the Iron Islands any time soon and there has been no mention of marriage between our house and theirs," he said naming off the Great Houses.

Ryanne nodded, "Which means she's probably from one of the lesser houses. Whose the closest too the Targaryen's?" she asked looking at her grandmother, who had once been betrothed to a Targaryen Prince. Olenna's eyes glinted with pride, "From the Crownlands House Valeryon, who are being closely watched by Stannis Baratheon, House Kettleback, House Rosby and House Rykker. From the Riverland Houses Darry, Goodbrook, Mooton, and Ryger. Plus, all of Dorne and a lot of the small folk remember Rhaegar and are loyal to the Targaryen's especially with how Robert has run the kingdom into the ground over the years, not to mention those loyal from the Reach and the Stormlands," Willas began listing all those who had been loyal to the Targaryen's during the rebellion.

"Well House Goodbrook can't have a daughter he sent to Essos. Hoster Tully made sure their family line went extinct after the rebellion," Loras said with a roll of his eyes. Margaery shook her head, "There are so many houses with daughters of age, it could be any one of them," she murmured and her siblings voiced her agreement.

Lady Alerie finally spoke, "I guess we need to decide if its worth it. We've served the Targaryen's since the Field of Fire during Aegon's Conquest and even through the Mad King. Are we going to serve another generation or throw it in with the usurper?" she asked seriously. Mace looked to his mother, making Willas shake his head and Olenna met all the eyes of her family before signing, "Both of my daughters were handmaidens to Princess Visenya and I got to know her well. I always said to late Queen Rhaella that had she been born a man, Visenya would have been the greatest King who ever lived. Later on, before the rebellion, Rhaella feared there would be another Dance of Dragon's between Rhaegar and Visenya, because some houses declared for her and others for him. I knew she was a good girl and I've never doubted it. Her mothers blood runs strong in her. We stand beside the Targaryen's," she said gaining nods of agreement from the rest of her family.

Ryanne looked at her father, "Looks like you have a letter to write to Sunspear and I have some packing to do," she said smiling softly. Mace smiled back at her, "I'll never force you to do something you don't want to do Ryanne. You go to Dorne and if you find it lacking, we'll summon you back home, alright?" he promised. She smiled at her father, who may have been an oaf but loved them all very much. According to her grandmother, right after each of them were born, her father bragged for weeks and carried them everywhere with him.

She felt a little nervous at the thought of going to Dorne but also excited. She had always wanted to travel, to see the world and now she would have the chance. She knew Dorne was more relaxed on the expectations of woman and she looked forward to a new place to explore. She caught her grandmothers eyes as she turned to leave the room and Olenna winked at her with a smile on her face, making the eldest Tyrell daughter grin.

Her future wouldn't be anything like she was expecting.