Not The Plan
Very quick piece of information, in this story it doesn't matter whether R + L = J is real, because it does not influence or change anything in the story that I have written.
So if you wish to apply it in this story then do so or don't, but it changes nothing.
I do not own any of the characters or the TV show, this is merely my interpretation on it. No copyright infringement intended.

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The first thing that the brunette saw when walking through the doors into the building that was built in the Water Gardens was the great detail that had gone into building the place. From the high decorated ceilings with excessive details carved into and painted onto the material to the marble floors and columns with carvings and decorated with gold and all sorts of gemstones. All of it was gorgeously made and showed perfectly the attitude of these people that they were among now. These Dornish people that were so very different from her own people. We pay the iron price, Yara thought before correcting herself. They used to do that, but that was no more since the agreement between herself and Daenerys. But the female warrior was completely alright with the way it all turned out.

She continued to look around and took note of the many windows which allowed plenty of light to enter the building. This almost seemed to transform the building itself, because the light caused all the gems and the gold to shimmer so much that Yara felt as if she was being blinded by the excessive decorations. Thinking this moment not the right time to complain when they were surrounded by these people, she kept her mouth shut on the topic.

Suddenly the contingent of people she was walking with came to a halt and the brunette was only just able to stop herself from bumping into the person in front of her. Perhaps she should stay more focused and aware when surrounded by people of who she was not yet certain whether they were friend or foe. Looking out in front of her she saw the reason for their sudden halt. An extravagant looking door, which was in-set with every sort of gemstone the brunette could think of at the moment.

Diamonds, black diamonds, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, emeralds, topaz, perhaps even tourmaline and all of this was again decorated with gold around it. The brunette almost had to squint her eyes just looking at this exorbitant amount of gemstones and decoration on this particular door. Shaking her head she merely waited for the door to be opened so they could go inside of wherever they were being led.

"Well, at least we know they have enough gold to finance and support a war." Yara muttered to herself, not believing that anyone would hear her.

"Unless of course they spent all of their gold on their appearance to the rest of the world. Just like with that door." the Ironborn female heard someone whisper beside her, who she quickly identified as Tyrion.

The brunette looked over to the little man beside her and whispered her agreement with the man's assessment.

The doors had opened up in the meantime and they walked into the next room which looked like a hall where they could continue the conversation that had started outside. Everyone walked inside of the said room and sat in their respective spots. One long sofa accommodated the man that Yara now knew to be called Doran, his son and the older woman that had been there, beside the sofa stood the three younger girls. Across from this sofa was another similar sofa with a table in-between on which was a platter stood with refreshments, mainly tea. Both sofas had plenty of plush cushions to situate yourself on comfortably. The other sofa was taken by herself, Daenerys, Tyrion and Varys, while Missandei stood beside the sofa. The rest of the Dothraki that had come with them, but did not go with the horses now stood along the walls, keeping a close watch on all the guards around the room, distrusting of everyone.

When everyone seemed to have settled down or taken the refreshments that were offered to them, the Prince asked for the proper introductions to the people that Daenerys had brought along. After these introductions were made, they could finally continue the conversation which they had started outside.

"So, what has been going on in Westeros that makes you open to an alliance with myself?" Daenerys asked Prince Doran, remaining distrustful of the man. Rightfully so, thought Yara, trusting someone completely when you have just met them gets you killed. You could say the same about the way Daenerys had trusted her pretty quickly, but perhaps sometimes you have to take that leap of faith.

"Well, we should not dance around the facts, so I shall put this bluntly, the situation in Westeros has become quite dire and you could say the realm has gone to shit." Doran spoke before adding, "Not meaning to use such crude language in your company, Your Grace, but it was the most direct and honest way to put it."

The silver-haired female nodded to the man, indicating him to continue in his retelling of recent events. Taking a brief pause to take a sip of tea, the Prince shortly continued his story.

"To start with the most important piece of news; Tommen Baratheon, who we all know was never a Baratheon at all, but nonetheless, has passed away. And Cersei Lannister now sits on the throne and has proclaimed herself Queen."

"Wait a second, my sister is Queen?" Tyrion interrupted the Prince, letting out a snort before continuing, "May the gods have mercy on the people in King's Landing."

"I know you never had any great love for your sister, Tyrion, but how bad is the situation if she has proclaimed herself Queen?" Daenerys asked her Hand, before adding another question and directing it at more people in the room, "What I mean to ask is, how bad is she?"

The Lannister looked around for a few moments before speaking. "Well then, I believe I am most qualified to answer that question. My sister is a vindictive, malicious and conniving woman. One of her only redeeming qualities, perhaps even her only redeeming quality, was the love she had for her children and how she would do anything for them. But a Cersei who doesn't have those children, well that is not a Cersei I really wish to meet. To be quite frank, it scares me to think about it."

Trying to imagine the woman that Tyrion was depicting, already almost made a shiver run down Yara's spine and she had never even met the woman.

"Speaking of Cersei, another event took place and rumours has it that she is to blame. Which seems quite likely to me." the Spider began to speak, "On the day that Cersei was supposed to stand trial, the Sept of Baelor was set alight with Wildfire, killing everyone inside and all those in the surrounding area. Within that Sept were most of the higher nobles and the Queen at that point in time."

A long pause fell after that, all the people in the room trying to imagine the great amount of damage that must have caused and the havoc it must have wrecked. But mainly they thought about all those that had perished in the fire.

"Varys, I do believe you are correct in thinking that to be Cersei's doing." Tyrion told the Eunuch, knowing very well the type of person that Cersei is.

"Which brings us to our next point: the Tyrells." Doran spoke up again, bringing the attention back to the conversation at hand.

"What of them?" the Targaryen asked, not understanding why some noble family was being brought up.

"In the fire on that day most of the Tyrell family perished and the only Tyrell that remains alive is Olenna Tyrell. Add to this the fact that Cersei proclaimed war on both Dorne and House Tyrell, as well, it seems to me that an alliance between yourself and the Reach would be completely possible." the Prince replied without hesitation.

"So what you are saying, is that I should align myself with both Dorne and the Reach?" the blonde asked the man.

"That is exactly what I am saying, Your Grace. It would be most beneficial for you and your cause, I believe." the Dornishman replied.

"Very well, I shall think on it. If I do decide that aligning myself with the Reach is in my best interest, then where can I find this Olenna Tyrell?"

"Highgarden, the ancestral seat of House Tyrell."

"Alright. Now what else can you tell me that would be of help to my quest?" the Dragonborn female asked.

"The Stormlands at the moment have no real liege since no Baratheon remains alive to control it. Taking into account that the Stormlands border on the Crownlands, this is perhaps where you could have your army camped, until you decide to march on King's Landing. After this, you may decide for yourself what you wish to do with the Stormlands. Who might become the new liege and all that." the Prince spoke to Daenerys with advice that seemed sound to Yara herself. The Targaryen seemed to think so as well, since she merely nodded and indicated for Doran to continue.

"In the North, the Starks have retaken Winterfell and the bastard Jon Snow has been proclaimed King in the North by the bannermen of the Starks. They are supported as well by the Vale. I do not think that you will find support with them for this fight at least." Doran continued once more.

"I do believe you are correct in that assumption, Prince Doran. A problem for after the battle." the Targaryen concluded.

"What is it that you offer in this alliance, Prince Doran?" Tyrion spoke up.

"20.000 Dornish men, 7.000 of them with mounts. 250 ships with men to sail them. Supplies if you need them, considering you might make an alliance with the Reach, you might not need our resources. For the Reach holds more resources than Dorne, but still it is an offer. And then also refuge if the battle turns sour." the Prince proclaimed all of this proudly.

All of these things seemed a sweet prospect to any one of the people in that room. Daenerys as well seemed pleased by the generous amount of people the Dornish would send to help with her cause. Yara however was a little more cautious and before she could stop herself, the warrior had opened her mouth and spoken. Inside she silently cursed herself for speaking before thinking her words through, she just hoped she didn't offend their current hosts too much.

"And what the hell do you want in return for all of that? No one in this world gives anything without expecting something back." the Greyjoy spoke up for the first time in the entire conversation, suspicious of these people.

Instead of the incredulous look she was expecting, she instead heard a low chuckle come from the Dornishman who the question was aimed at. Yara silently thanked whatever deity there was that she did not ruin Daenerys' chances at an alliance or the friendly nature it could have, not wishing their possible allies to turn hostile if they had taken her remark offensively. In her head the brunette had to admit that while she was good at fighting, as a Queen she still lacked some skill in diplomacy.

"Yes indeed, there is another side to this alliance, however Dorne does not ask for much. All we want is to have vengeance for my brother by the exchange of certain individuals and to have a place on Your Grace's small council. A marriage I would propose, but I do believe Your Grace would not wish to bind herself to the first offer of marriage she receives. So merely know that the offer to marry my son Trystane has been made." the Prince of Dorne said his terms, sounding earnest in the naming of his terms.

For some time Daenerys seemed to consider the terms. Eventually the silver-haired female came to a decision and spoke to the Prince. "To the first two terms I can agree, Prince Doran. However you are correct that I cannot immediately agree to a marriage, I'll consider the offer." A short pause followed, before she continued speaking, " I do believe we are in agreement then?"

The Prince seemed to agree with the Targaryen's assessment of the state of their agreement. After this the two leaders continued to flesh out the details to their alliance, during which Yara completely zoned out. The brunette was eventually brought back to the present when servants with trays containing goblets and flagons of wine came walking in. All attendants near and on the sofa received a goblet which was promptly filled with a beautiful Dornish red. The Prince raised his goblet and gave a toast. "To the alliance of our Houses, House Targaryen and House Martell. The alliance that was once before. May it be fruitful and may it bring us victory!"

"To the alliance!" Every one of the people there called out while bringing their goblets up in a toast, before drinking from the rich and tasty wine that they had been given. May it bring us victory indeed, Yara silently thought while drinking the wine.

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Xoxo

Vera