"Lord Tyrion Lannister has landed in Dorne," Brienne told Sansa, Oberyn and Ellaria. They were in Sansa's chambers, having just returned from the beach, their bodies filled with sand, laughing and chuckling with one another. She did not want to know what they have been doing there, although she could make a few educated guesses that they had the moment of their lives. "Prince Doran has asked the three of you if you would be so kind in accompanying him in welcoming our guest."

"We'll be there in fifteen minutes," Sansa promised Brienne, who nodded and went back into the hallway to wait for them. "I told you two that the ship at the beach was Lord Tyrion's. What if he saw us?" she fretted. Making love with her two lovers under the sun was one thing, but in full view of an incoming ship was another.

Ellaria chuckled and helped Sansa to brush her hair. "My love, I don't think that he could see anything from the ship with his height." Sansa had thrown her a scandalized look, but continued to look back into the mirror, searching for a pair of earrings that would suit her dress. "This one," Ellaria said, pointing to the pair of studs made of pearl. "When it doubt, always go for pearls." Sansa did not understand that logic. Her days with Lady Olenna Tyrell had taught her that ostentatiousness was a weapon. Diamonds, emeralds and rubies were knives that women used against one another. Pearl was more abundant, found even in White Harbour in the North. "You want to welcome Lord Tyrion. You don't want to scare him back to King's Landing. Save the precious stones for others. Besides, he was kind to you, no?"

At those words, Sansa nodded. "Yes, he was," she answered. Just then, Oberyn had walked towards them from his wardrobe, already changed while Ellaria went to her rooms to change as well. He seemed to favor reds now, Sansa realized. Rich, but dark reds, reds that seemed to go strangely well with the greys and lilacs that she favored since coming to Dorne. Sometimes, their clothing were designed to mirror one another's, as befitting for newly weds.

"You look beautiful, as always," Oberyn whispered into her ear after pressing a kiss on Ellaria's forehead. He held her by her shoulders, looking straight at their reflection in her mirror. "Perhaps we should have our portrait done," he said. "We are a great match, are we not?"

"We are," she affirmed, looking intently at him as he caressed the pendant that he had given her. "There hasn't been a princess as lucky as I."

"That's because there hasn't been a princess like you," he said, glad that she had finally come to terms with what she actually was. In King's Landing, she was only a Dornish princess, a title bestowed upon her by their marriage, but in Dorne and in the North, she was a princess of two lands. "Look at you, a Northern princess who has embraced the radiant southern sun. You are the stuff of nightmares for the Lannisters. It's a pity that your favorite Cersei could not come with the Imp. Imagine her angry face when she sees you a princess twice-over."

Sansa gulped at the very mention of Cersei. She had never saw herself as Cersei's rival, nor would she ever would, but the world and Cersei herself seem to think it. She once thought that Cersei would one day be her mother-in-law, but now she neither feared nor hated her, despite the fact that Cersei tried to have her killed twice. "Lord Tyrion will have to tell her everything," she said. "I hope that you will be kind to him. Lord Tyrion has shown me a lot of... decency compared to the rest of his family."

Oberyn kissed her forehead in promise. "Lord Tyrion interests me as well, my love," he told her. "Don't worry, no harm will come to home unless he brings it upon himself."

"Before you came, I almost died when I heard that there was a rumor that Lord Tywin wanted me married to Lord Tyrion," Sansa told him. "It happened when someone... found out that the Tyrells wanted to match me with Ser Loras."

"Then I should thank the Gods that I made the first move," Oberyn replied.

"I would have bitten my tongue if anything like that ever happened to me," she added. "Lord Tyrion is kind, but..." She never wanted to be associated with any of the Lannisters in whatever manner. Joffrey and Cersei's treatment of her was already enough.

"What about the rumor I heard about Littlefinger having an interest in you?" Oberyn asked. That, in the mind of any strategist, was the most dangerous pairing ever. It was dangerous for the Realm, and most likely dangerous for Sansa.

"He's not... really interested in me," Sansa said, her tone changed to one of denial. "He's just always helping me because he loved my mother..."

"Littlefinger's not yet made a move ever since he married your Aunt Lysa," Oberyn reminded her. "His motives are clear: he wants to dominate as much of Westeros as possible using the easiest means possible. Your mother must always be cautious."

"Do you think that he will seek to use Mother in his plans?" Sansa asked. She did not understand. "How does he think he can manipulate everything from the Vale?"

"Nothing is certain yet," Oberyn said. Littlefinger had only become so powerful because no one would suspect him. A lesser lord whose lineage counted for nothing was never an evident threat. Noted for his ability to come up with whatever coin the Crown needed, he had been a friend to all. Him becoming the lord of Harrenhall all of a sudden was ultimately suspicious to Dorne. Him marrying Lysa Arryn was another move that bristled the hairs on Oberyn and Doran's necks. In two moves, he had became one of the greatest lords in the Seven Kingdoms, and they shuddered to imagine what would happen next.

Sansa sighed. "Come, let's go," she said. "We'll be in here all day if we're really going to discover the plots of everyone in the game."

"As the Princess commands," Oberyn said, holding her hand as they walked out of their chambers.

Tyrion Lannister sat with Prince Doran in one of the private living areas of Castle Sunspear. He was given a seat on the chaise adjacent to Doran, who was flanked by his son Trystane and Myrcella, while Bronn sat on the opposite chaise all by himself. "Forgive my brother and my sister," Doran said. "They come and go like the wind these days. I can hardly keep track of them."

"Oh, I can wait a bit," Tyrion said. "They're newly weds, so who can blame them?"

"The Gods work in strange ways," Doran said. "For years, everyone has tried to entice Oberyn with the notion of a wife, but he was adamant that Ellaria and their daughters were enough for him. Then one day, he heard rumor that Sansa Stark and her hair that was kissed by fire, how she was so beautiful that Ser Loras Tyrell thought her to be a good match, he begged me to write that letter to your father."

Tyrion could not help but smile. "La... Princess Sansa's beauty is somewhat rare," he said, almost forgetting that Sansa was now a princess. "How is she doing here?"

"Very well, Lord Tyrion, thank you for asking," Doran said. "Ah, here they come now."

Tyrion turned towards the archway to find Sansa, dressed in a beautifully cut Dornish gown but in Northern grey. Of course, it had to be one that bared her arms. The low-cut neckline of the dress enabled her to show off her pendant that depicted the sigils of Houses Martell and Stark, as well as that strange undergarment Dornish ladies wore. Oberyn on the other hand, made it abundantly clear that he was the luckiest man in the world. He held Sansa's hand in his, but clutched Ellaria's waist as they walked towards them. A man with a beautiful young wife, a sultry paramour and eight daughters is a man to be greatly envied.

"Lord Tyrion, it is so good to see you again," Sansa greeted Tyrion first, giving him friendly kisses on either side of his cheek, while Oberyn and Ellaria gave him polite nods. "I hope that you are well?"

"Oh, I'm brilliant, my dear Princess," Tyrion replied. "Marriage suits you, I see," he said, looking towards Oberyn. He did not have the chance to speak to Oberyn at all regarding his marriage to Sansa in King's Landing and now was a good a time as any.

"Of course it does, Lord Tyrion," Oberyn replied. "I cannot imagine having to compete with other men for her hand. I have yet to thank your father for his timely... agreement to our match."

As they spoke, Sansa turned towards Bronn. "And how are you, Ser Bronn?" Sansa greeted him. "Are you still serving beside Lord Tyrion?"

"I'm doin' good, Princess," Bronn replied, quite surprised that Sansa would acknowledge him at all. "Yeah, just stickin' to good ol' Lord Tyrion, for old time's sake." In fact, he was actually surprised that she would actually acknowledge him at all. She had seemed to be... slightly afraid of him when they were in King's Landing, and rightly so, too. But... Tyrion was right. There was some change in her. She was braver, more confident. It was a good change, he supposed.

"I am glad to hear that," she continued. "Lord Tyrion needs a good help like you as well."

The rest of the afternoon went by quite well. Sansa and Oberyn offered to show Tyrion and Bronn everything that was to see in Sunspear, finally settling in a local tavern that had pretty barmaids that had plenty of opportunities for side incomes. "You are doing very well for yourself, Princess," Tyrion said to Sansa over a full glass of wine. "About half a year ago, you were Lady Sansa, held in King's Landing at the King's pleasure, and now you are Princess Sansa with Brienne of Tarth as your sworn sword."

"I am grateful that the Gods gave me Oberyn and Ellaria," Sansa said, almost as prettily as she would have in King's Landing. Oberyn gave her an appreciative kiss on the lips, but playfully lengthening it until the point where Tyrion seemed a little uncomfortable and Bronn looked as if he was having fun. Tyrion knew what Oberyn was doing. He was displaying that he and not any other man (or woman) belong to Sansa and she to him. When they had parted, Sansa was blushing violently, which made Tyrion a little grateful that her marriage did not change her too much at all.

"And I am grateful that I got to you before anyone else did," Oberyn added, giving a little wink towards Bronn, one that he duly understood. "But marriage, Lord Tyrion, it changes men, even men like me. You should try it one day."

"Oh, I've been married," Tyrion said. "Once. It didn't end well for me though, so do forgive me if I am a bit hesitant on it."

Sansa shot Oberyn a quizzical look, but he tilted his head slightly and she gave up. They would not probe his history, until he was willing to reveal it to them. "How is Margery, Lord Tyrion?"

"She's enjoying being the Queen every bit, Princess," Tyrion said. "She sends her regards and wishes that you and Prince Oberyn are well." There was a strange friendship between Sansa and Margery that he could not ever fathom. When Margery had just come to King's Landing after Renly Baratheon's death and Joffrey had dissolved his betrothal to her for one to Margery, Sansa and Margery became fast friends when other women would have considered one another enemies. It had been a strange move for the Tyrells, but it pulled off.

"Please tell her that I am very happy here," Sansa said. "I wish her and King Tommen all the blessings in the world."

Tyrion broke into a small smile. "You are too kind, Princess." he told her. "I will pass the message on."

"Well, it is time that Sansa and I returned to the palace," Oberyn said. "My brother has a few... errands for us to run," Oberyn proclaimed. "We will see you later at dinner, Lord Tyrion." He took Sansa's hand and left almost hurriedly.

"So, what are ya gonna tell your father?" Bronn asked Tyrion. "She's here in Dorne, feet firmly planted in the sand."

"I'm going to tell him exactly that," Tyrion said.

"But what if she leaves after you send your report in?"

"Then I'll have to send in another report," Tyrion said.

"Something's not right here," Bronn said. "Everything's too... quiet."

"This is Dorne, Bronn," Tyrion said. "Its population is the least in all of Westeros, it's supposed to be quiet. There's nothing here except the desert."

"How long are we gonna be here?"

Tyrion sighed. "I wish I knew," he replied. "I really wish I knew."

"Say what you will, my love, but Tyrion Lannister certainly at more than a few eyes for you," Oberyn told Sansa as he had her pressed onto the wall in the hallway near their chambers.

"You're not serious, are you?" Sansa asked him. "Lord Tyrion would never..."

Oberyn interrupted her with another kiss. "Perhaps you are right," he said. "But I am a very perceptive man, and I know who my rivals are. I know that his presence here might remind you again as your days as a virtual hostage in King's Landing, you must be strong."

Sansa looked into Oberyn's eyes with disbelief. She had not said anything to anyone about such thoughts. How in the world would he know them if she had never put them to words. "How did you..."

"I am your husband, Sansa," Oberyn reminded her, bringing his forehead to hers. "You have suffered much under the hand of the Lannisters, and even though Tyrion was kind to you, the others were not. It is only natural that you would associate everything bearing that name with your past experiences." He knew that he was right by the way she had melted into his arms. He only held her tighter. "I also wish to talk to you about something else."

"What is it?" Sansa asked.

"Your visions," he told her. "They are taking a toll on your body, a toll that should not be there." Gently, he held her by her forearm with one hand and lifted her chin with the fingers on the other, so he would be looking directly into her blue eyes. "You must have felt it, no?"

She had thought that he would not notice. At first, when she started Greenseeing, she thought that she would finally be of help to others. She had wanted to be given more and more of those visions. However, since they had come to Dorne, she noticed that she took a longer time to recover from her visions. She had spoken to Maester Caleotte in private and had sworn him to secrecy, but he could find no answer. She did not understand it.

"I... I... don't know..." Sansa said. "Oberyn, it's not like I can control seeing them. They just come to me..."

"Yet, your strength wanes," Oberyn told her. "I fear for you, my love." He did not mean to frighten her, but he knew that in his heart, it would be wise to tell her. "We had gone through so much together in these few short months, I fear that I cannot bear to be parted from you in any given time in my life."

Sansa knew that the last words that he had spoken were true. They were true because they had been in her mind as well. Her husband had given her so much since they had met. Her newfound strength and confidence, they would have been nothing if not for the sense of safety and security that he had given her from the first time they met. Without him, she would not have accomplished everything that she had already done, however small they were.

"We have to accept this," Sansa told him. "There's no other way. I can't stop having those visions..." She knew that Oberyn was aware of how important her visions were. Her bond to her family would in one way aid Robb in his campaigns and the fact that she and Daenerys Targaryen share mutual presences in one another's mind were good enough to establish some form of physical link between them. "And you know that we need them."

Oberyn sighed and gathered Sansa in his arms, gently leaning her head into the arch of his neck. "But at the cost of your life?" he asked her. "Sansa, I will give everything, anything, for you to..."

Using his old tricks, Sansa lifted her head and kissed him. "We don't have that choice now, Oberyn," she told him. "If... there are things that we both must do, then we must do them, no matter what it takes." She loved him, and she knew it because of the way he loved her. Gentle, calming, always pushing her forwards, he had only encouraged her, giving her courage to face not only her fears but her future as well. "Didn't the Valyrians say 'Valar morghulis'? We have to take things a day at a time now, to find life... in every breath."

"Life in every breath..." Oberyn repeated her words. Surely, they would only be a symbol of how wise she was beyond her years. "Perhaps you are right, my love." Those words also made him realize that Ellaria's former warnings held much truth, that there was a great possibility that the two of them were only brought into her life to guide her through her journeys. He would hold her as he did now, and love her as he would now for as long as she was his to love and to hold. Until it is time for him to release her, he would never let go.

HAN: How did you like this chapter? I'm sorry for being away for this long though. I got stuck halfway through and it took me awhile to see what I could do. If anything, I feel as I'm approaching another standstill and it is painful, not knowing where to go.

Did you like what I did with Tyrion in Dorne? It was great fun writing about the interactions between him and Bronn too.

Today's pop culture reference goes to the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Last Samurai. They won't be hard to find. ^_^

Enjoy!