The Widow of Dorne
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones
Summary: Nayara Toland is the niece of Lady Nymella Toland. Sorrow seemed to follow her wherever she went, from her parent's death to her husband's. Despite it all, Nayara is loyal to House Toland and Dorne. What will happen when she takes on the responsibility of being part of the Dornish Retinue for the King's wedding.
Chapter 1: The Widow
Nayara's POV
Nisha played in the gardens with Teora, who told her stories of her dreams. I watched intrigued, as the five-year-old listened, amazed at her cousin's story. Her dark red hair glistened in the sunlight while her olive skin glowed. I watched from afar, observing and thinking about all that had transpired in the last decade.
My heart saddens as my thoughts linger on my late husband, Froylan. It has been two years since his death from an illness. My husband was the second-born son of House Gardalen. A Salty Dornish with olive skin, dark eyes, and smooth long black hair. Yet his health was not as strong as a warrior. He was not frail, yet he somehow got ill with ease. We knew each other growing up, attending feasts and gatherings. Until one day, his father suggested marriage. One would say it was a marriage of convenience, a father wanting his son to experience a wedding before the Stranger comes. But to Froylan and I, it was two friends joining together.
So, after my eighteen nameday, we were wed. Our love was platonic, but we made it work between us. Let alone our passion in the night. However, there were rough waters with our union, from his sickness to my miscarriages. Until the Gods blessed us with our daughter, Nisha. Froylan cherished Nisha with a passion, calling her his little princess. As Nisha inherited her father's olive skin and dark eyes while she claimed my hair.
I was different from most Dornish. My mother, Caterina of House Drinkwater, was from the Red Mountains; they have most Andal and First Men blood in their veins, and they have fair skin that either freckles or burns, with blond or brown hair to vibrant eyes. I remember my mother as she held golden brown hair, deep blue eyes, and fair skin. She wore a veil now and then when the sun was too bright to protect her skin. Yet she was Dornish. While my father, Eron, was a Salty Dornish, except his hair was red. All the Tolands had red hair. We were unsure how this was possible, we believe our ancestors kept marrying redheads that it just stuck.
And so, I was a mix of my parents, with red hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. One would say I was the Ghost of Torland in how pale I can be. I merely laughed it off. Yet my family didn't see any difference from it, yet Aunt Nymella tried to keep my skin covered so I wouldn't burn.
Thinking about my parents and Froylan brought more sorrow to my heart. My mother died on the birthing bed, along with my brother. My father did his best to raise me while being the protector of Ghost Hill. By Rhoynar law, the firstborn inherits the title, not one's gender. Therefore, Nymella was the Lady of Ghost Hill;. However, my father was given the title of Lord. Being the lone male, he protected Ghost Hill and the villages surrounding the castle. Until pirates dared attack our shores. My father fought to protect the village, and our army took them down, yet Eron received so many wounds that he succumbed to them. I was only thirteen years old, sobbing into my father's chest, begging him not to go. I lost my mother when I was six, and now I have lost my father.
Lady Nymella took me in and raised me as her own, along with her daughters: Valena and Teora. For five years, they loved me as their own, not as a cousin but as a sister. We kept in contact when I married Froylan and moved to Salt Shores. Until Froylan's health declined, he died from a sudden illness two years ago.
Lord Tremond, Froylan's brother, was by my side as we prepared the funeral arrangements for his brother. My sweet Nisha was only three years old, and I was widowed by my twenty-fifth-name day. Since Nisha was a girl and Tremond had sons, she was not bound to the Salt Shores. Lady Nymella offered home once more, which I took, moving Nisha and me back to Ghost Hill. I brought Nisha back to the Salt Shores to spend time with her cousins, but I could not live there with the memories of Froylan.
It had been two years since Froylan's death, and my year of mourning was over. As I no longer wore black. Instead, I return to Ghost Hill. So far, Nisha has enjoyed being young with few memories of her father. Tremond allowed me to have some of Froylan property and a painting of him. Froylan even commissioned two lockets with his portrait so we could have him with
"What sorrow graces your face, my dear," Lady Nymella said as she approached me.
I stared at the woman who had been my second mother to me, "Lost in sorrow memories."
Lady Nymella nodded, "I know the feeling."
Her husband recently passed away, and she dressed in black. Valena was twenty-two, while Teora was sixteen. Now only women resign in Ghost Hall.
"But it seems Nisha is the sun that brings happiness towards these white halls," Lady Nymella murmured.
"That she is," I agreed.
Ghost Hill was located atop a hill. The castle has chalk-white walls that shine bright against the deep blue of the Sea of Dorne. There were square towers at the corners of the castle, with a central keep. The village resides at the bottom of the hill, in shades of white and gray, yet the lands are dusty. As the keep jokes were, the ashes of Vhagar's fires coated the grounds.
House Toland's history was quite unique for Dorne. During the First Dornish War, King Aegon tried to conquer our desert lands. Lord Torland sent a champion to face Aegon the Conqueror in single combat. However, Lord Torland was no fool to fight a Valyrian with Valyrian steel. Instead, he sent a champion who was a fool of Ghost Hill. Aegon slaughtered the champion of fools, and Aegon became furious that Lord Torland disappeared to prepare the forces. He quickly recaptured Ghost Hill when King Aegon returned to King's Landing. Queen Visenya Targaryen unleashed the dragonflame of Vhagar on our lands after the Dornishmen attacked Cape Wrath. However, our loyalty to Dorne gains favor to House Martell that they have helped my ancestors rebuild what has been burned away.
Our House changed its banner to honor the fool who sacrificed himself to save Lord Torland. Our banner was now a green dragon biting its own tail on a yellow field. The colors of green and gold are in memory of the motley of the brave fool. Green and gold were our colors, and our accessories were a dragon biting its tail.
We watched Nisha, and Teora play until I said, "There is something you wish to discuss?"
Lady Nymella nodded, "King Joffrey is getting married."
I raised a brow, "To the Stark girl?"
Word spread as fast as dragonfire when King Robert passed. Followed by the execution of Lord Eddard Stark, who was at the Hand of the King. A man who was beheaded in the supposed claim of betraying King Robert, plotting to murder Joffrey and seize the Iron Throne. There were mixed emotions about King Robert's Death since he was the man whose rebellion led to the death of Princess Elia and her two children. Dorne seeks revenge, yet Prince Doran refuses to act on violence when blood has already been shed. So hearing King Robert's death was complicated since he did not bother to seek the King's Justice on Dorne since our loyalty was held hostage by the Mad King.
Followed by the news of Lord Starks death stirred something in Dorne. Lord Eddard Stark had a reason, Out of the Lords who held a part in the Usurpers rebellion since Prince Rhaegar kidnapped Lady Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to King Robert. Lord Rickard Stark's eldest son, Brandon, went to rescue his sister, only to be captured by the Mad King. When Lord Rickard came to collect his son, The Mad King tortured and executed the men by wildfire.
The news that King Joffrey beheaded Lord Eddard stirs something in Dorne. Prince Doran tried to keep the peace, but rumors spread that King Joffrey might not be the son of King Robert, and most of all, Lannisters were ruling Westeros. And Dorne despises the Lannisters with a passion since it was the Lannister army, a knight known as the Mountain who butchered and raped Princess Elia and her children.
Westeros was at war, with the Starks fighting the Lannisters, the Baratheons fighting each other, and the Greyjoys sacking the North. And Yet Dorne remained neutral. For we do not want to make the same mistake again.
Although, I feel sorry for the Stark girl who is intended to marry King Joffrey. From what I had heard, she was being abused in court. A girl who was merely starting her adolescence.
Lady Nymella shook her head, "No, to Margaery Tyrell."
"Wasn't she married to King Renly?" I asked.
"She was until her husband was assassinated by his loyal knight," she informed.
I shook my head, "They are spreading their roots into a dangerous game."
"Agreed," she said, then sighed. "Prince Doran is unable to attend the wedding, so he is sending Prince Oberyn in his stead."
"May the gods have mercy on King's Landing," I jest.
Lady Nymella chuckled at that, "Indeed. Our house has been invited to be part of the Dornish Retinue."
I stared at her, surprised. No doubt the Lords of Dorne would be spending a few nights recovering from their travel before continuing.
"Would you like me to make the preparations?" I asked.
Lady Nymella nodded, "And there is something else I must ask of you."
I stare at her to continue.
She took a deep breath, "I need you to represent House Toland in my stead."
My eyes widened at that.
"I know I am asking more than I can fathom," she explained. "But I am in mourning. Valena is my heir, and Teora is vulnerable. You have experience in these formal affairs."
I nodded to that as I glanced at my daughter. It was true I have experience with formal affairs. Froylan was friends with Prince Oberyn, so we were invited to Sunspear. Over the years, from House Toland to House Gardalen, did I hold myself to high standards to represent both families.
King's Landing is a dangerous place. There are Lannisters there, followed by liars and thieves. Prince Oberyn mentioned those of the Small Council. And I heard stories about Queen Cersei's abuse of power. Followed by King Joffrey's behavior of killing anyone who displeases him.
"You're sending me to the lion's den?" I told her.
"I know, but I trust you more than anyone else," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I sighed, "You said Prince Oberyn will be attending?"
"And other Lords as well," she added.
I sighed, "Very well, I will attend. But you owe me greatly for leaving my daughter behind."
Lady Nymella chuckled, "I assure you. I will spoil her rotten."
"I think it's time for Valena to find a husband to fix that grandmother itch," I muttered.
Lady Nymella laughed, "Believe me, I've been trying, but my daughter is stubborn in selecting a suitor."
Lady Nymella allowed us to explore and select our husbands. Only she has the final say. She hesitated when I married Froylan, for our union was not out of passionate love or an arranged marriage. It was something in between. Yet she allowed it, knowing I cared for Froylan and struggled to put myself out there. I was introverted and timid. Men treated me as a friend, and barely anyone lusted after me. Yet Froylan saw something in me, and even though it was not a love match, we grew to love each other.
"And this might give you a chance to find love again," she added.
"I doubt I will find love again," I murmured, crossing my arms.
Who would want to marry a woman, a widow with a child? Let alone I was in my late twenties, and men preferred younger ladies from the starting age of sixteen. I am twenty-eight now. I will be fortunate to find a husband in his fifties or older who seeks a companion. I was not from the main branch of House Toland. I was a second branch and currently third in line to the Ladyship of House Toland. No man would want that. They would want daughters of the Main House.
To which I have accepted my fate. I will be satisfied with sexual affairs if the man is not married.
"Give it some thought," Lady Nymella assured.
I sighed but nodded, staring at Nisha, who plucked a flower and ran over to me. I smiled, staring at her dark eyes that shimmer like stars, kneeling down to hug her in her embrace.
"Mama, look what I got for you," Nisha cheered, holding the desert flower.
I smiled, taking hold of the stem and smelling the petals, "It smells wonderful, my dear."
Nisha smiled at that.
I may take Lady Nymella's suggestion on finding a possible suitor.
Only he was to be accepting of my daughter.
Nisha is all I have left.
I have a lot of Game of Thrones stories that are not completed. But this plot has been bothering me for a year, and I had to write it down. It will not be a regular schedule story.
Still deciding who she will be paired off with. But I will tell you this is not Jaime x OC. Then again, she is Dornish… so many...romantic affairs.
