Water Gardens – 285 AC
Prince Doran Martell and Prince Oberyn Martell observed as Vermax and Tyraxes roared, landing on the dragon pits made by Prince Joffrey Targaryen-Martell, in the Water Garden built by Prince Qoren Martell for his beloved wife Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Remembered by the books of history as the first Queen and King Consort of Westeros.
The intrinsic history between House Targaryen and House Martell was long and deep, bringing forth an era of glory and peace like no other. Now, once more, from the union of their houses a queen will raise to take the throne. It was kind of ironic that until that moment, only males have been born first. At least, in the main line. The Stepstones have been rules by females twice by now.
However, the peace and glory of Westeros has not only been built upon two houses. No, Queen Rhaenyra has seen the good and advantage of the North. The Crownlands, the North, and Dorne became the three pillars that upheld the real for over a century. Now, all three bloodlines will be combined and bring forth a new era of peace and glory, with the betrothal of Crown Princess Rhaenys and Prince Jonothor.
Though, that's a story for the future, as the princess and prince are only four and two, respectively. Right now, the royal family was visiting the Water Gardens, leaving Queen Mother Rhaella in charge of King's Landing, so Princess Rhaenys and Prince Aegon can meet their other side of the family. A tradition that House Targaryen had kept alive after Queen Rhaenyra's death. That and that one week tourney every time a Targaryen is born.
Though, that was mostly started by King Viserys and simply continued by Queen Rhaenyra.
"Brother, I've heard they betrothed Daenerys to Monterys Velaryon," Oberyn shared with a smirk.
"Princess Daenerys and Lord Monterys Velaryon," Doran corrected with a tired sigh. "It does not surprise me. He is the heir to Driftmark and it's been a while since a Targaryen married a Velaryon, they've lost the dragonrider gene by three generations. We are lacking dragonriders…" Doran frowned.
"Which you do not like," Oberyn commented.
"House Targaryen used to have a dozen dragonriders, now we only have two," Doran glared at his younger brother. "With the sudden death of King Aemon… and Prince Aerys and our sister, with a branch house taking the crown, thing are delicate in a way that have not been in a while."
"I know, since King Viserys and the crowing of Queen Rhaenyra," Oberyn sighed, his mood ruined at the mention of his beloved sister's death.
"We need to bring stability to the realm," Doran reminded him tiredly. "The Crown, The North, and Dorne have been doing so for a century. It won't all fall apart during my rule. For that, we need more dragons."
"Luckily for you, we have four Targaryen kids that have not claimed their dragons yet," Oberyn replied drily. "Six dragonriders, will that be enough for you brother?"
"It will make do," Doran smirked.
"As greedy as always," Oberyn shared his smirk.
"We are vipers with dragon blood, brother," Doran replied, still smirking. "Don't you ever forget that." His eyes landed on the approaching Targaryen banners. "We better get going, we are receiving the royal family after all."
Whatever issues Oberyn had with the king and queen, he did not hold them with little Jon. He was as much of a doting uncle to him, as he was to Rhaenys and and Aegon. He understood his brother's plans and the need for stability, but his sister's body was not even cold before the dragon and wolf married and brought their dragoncub into the world.
Oberyn knew that his sister match was political, that while Queen Rhaenyra and King Consort Qoren loved each other passionately, and their children got passionate and love matches, not all matches between House Targaryen and House Martell would do the same. Especially, since his sister loved another and had been forced to marry Rhaegar when he had been a prince.
But it still angered Oberyn that all it took for Rhaegar to fall in love with that wolf was one look. Lyanna Stark-Targaryen was a beautiful woman, of that there's no doubt. But so was Elia, even more beautiful than Lyanna if you asked Oberyn. So, what does she have that his sister did not?
"I never get tired of the beauty of this place," Lyanna sighed in awe.
"King Consort Qoren built it for his beloved wife Queen Rhaenyra," Doran said, as they left Oberyn with the children and some guards. "He craved his love into these stones and they watch the place bloom as their marriage."
Doran smiled, as he guided them to one of the most precious possessions in the state. The stunning painting of the The Dragon Queen's family. In it, she, Jace, and Viserys wore the Targaryen red, Qoren and Joffrey wore the Martell oragne, Lucerys the Velaryon teal, while Aegon and Visenya wore the Arryn blue- all of them had their outfits accented with the Targaryen black. They all looked happy, as they laid back in a cuddle pile, enjoying the peace of the Water Garddens.
"I'll inform you, that you are lucky it was me who ascended the throne and not my father," Rhaegar chuckled. "He kept on raving about how that painting should be kept in a Targaryen state. If not in the Red Keep, then the Narrow Ghost." Rhaegar shook his head, amused at the memory. "Of course, Uncle Aemon refused. Not that my father relented… he never liked being told no."
"Why don't we go to settle down?" Lyanna suggested with a gentle smile, placing a hand on his arm for support. "We do have a welcoming banquet to get ready for."
"You are right my love," Rhaegar smiled at his wife and then both of them bid Prince Doran goodbye. They only met the Martell Princes again later that night. The banquet was a blast, no one threw parties like the dornish. Rhaegar and Lyanna laughed carefree, only becoming serious again when they moved to Prince Doran's office by the end of the banquet. "Here you go, Prince Oberyn," Rhaegar handed him some papers. "Elia… she had requested this from King Aemon and he promised to look into it after they returned form Essos…"
"But they never did," Oberyn sighed, both sad and angry. Most of his negative emotions, lead to anger. "Papers of legitimation?" Oberyn's eyes widened. "For Obara, Nymera, Tyene, and Sarella? Also, for Ellaria?"
"Elia said she has never seen you so happy as when you are with her," Rhaegar smiled. "Giving her the Uller name will allow you to marry and unite House Martell to a loyal house like the Ullers."
"That will work in our favor," Doran smiled warmly at his brother. "Not to mention, I will finally be able to marry of my problematic brother."
"Thank you," Oberyn finally said, bowing at Rhaegar in respect. His eyes shinning with strong emotions, the Martell Prince was clearly overwhelmed. "This will mean so much for all of us, but especially the girls."
"They are family," Rhaegar simply replied. "Also, you should thank your sister, this was her idea."
"She had always been too good for this world," Oberyn smiled fondly at his sister's memory.
"That she was," Doran agreed.
"Also, we have a proposition for you," Lyanna smiled mischievously at the princes. "We would like to offer Prince Oberyn Martell the position of Lord Commander of the City Watch." She announced, making them both stare at her in stunned silence. "After all, it's been a while since a passionate and reckless prince had that position. Not since Prince Daemon Targaryen if I recall correctly."
"That you do," Rhaegar smiled. "Of course, it will be after the wedding and your wife and daughters will be more than welcomed to stay in the family apartments of Red Keep. As I said before, you are family."
"I think I will like that," Oberyn answered slowly, starting to see that these two were not an enemy he had to be careful around.
"Dorne will like that as well," Doran nodded, giving his permission.
"Great!" Lyanna cheered, clapping her hands. "King's Landing has become quite stifling, having you around will make things interesting again!"
Oh, how right the queen was. Prince Oberyn Martell's adventures as Lord Commander of the City Watch will go down in history right next to Prince Daemon Targaryen's. The dragonblood in the Martell showing through, as they were two peas in a pod.