(Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire nor its characters. Those all belong to George R. R. Martin, aside from my OC.)


(Doran Martell POV, Sunspear)

Doran Nymeros Martell, Prince of Dorne, and Lord of Sunspear, grand titles, and names, all inherited, yet they hadn't remotely fulfilled my ambitions.

Ambitions that have led to the death of my sister and her children. Plans of a Targaryen with Martell's blood on the iron throne washed away by the madness of Valyria's remnants.

Aery's 'the Mad King', Rhaeger who was either a rapist or a delusional lovestruck fool, and Visery's who seemed to follow the path of his father, every single one of them had one way or another laid the foundation for the destruction of House Targaryen.

Frankly, I wondered if given the chance, would Aegon have ended up just as bad as those three, or gods forbid worse.

Yet, it seemed I would never know, what little I could gather from my network all pointed to the death of my sister and her blood, either at the hands of the now-dead lions and his savage pets or the mad king and his pets.

I was sure that Oberyn blamed me for their deaths, he had been one of the primary objectors of sending my sister to wed the crown prince, fearing she would meet the same tragic fate as Queen Rhaelle.

Perhaps he was right, but it was too late now and there was no one I could seek vengeance against but myself.

Salty tears dripped down my cheeks, I could only lay in my chair despondent to what had befallen us, caused by my ambitions.

...

(Elia Martell POV, Dragonstone)

I was afraid.

Having never imagined that everything would end up this way, it all could be traced back to Rhaeger and his damned prophecies.

The tourney, that's where it all began. My poor health had ensured that I could never be all that fond of tourneys, unlike my brother.

Yet, as consort to the crown prince, to an event where all great lords would meet, I had no choice but to attend, lest even more rumors began appearing about me. So I went to Harrenhal, not realizing the sheer magnitude of problems it would cause.

Rhaegar Targaryen, My husband, the Crown Prince of the Westroes, a man that should have been better than his father, won the tourney. For whatever reason he decided to crown Lyanna Stark, a woman spoken for, a daughter of a great house and the future spouse of another, as his Queen of Love and Beauty.

I wasn't hurt by it, truthfully, I had always expected he would have a lover, but to be so blatant about it and with little regard for myself, that both hurt and angered me, yet I could do nothing about it, for I was in the dragon's den.

If only had stayed like that, no it wouldn't take long for my friend Ashara to discover from her brother the true reason why the silver fool would seek out Lyanna, it wasn't love. The blasted 'Last' dragon sought to use her for his prophecy.

It all came to a head when he absconded with her, I did not doubt that the stupid girl willingly went with him.

Brandon Stark and his followers would later ride to the Red Keep, and as if to prove that the same blood that ran through Lyanna was within him, he demanded Rhaegar's head for the alleged kidnapping.

The following events would see the death of not only his companions but also himself and his father, one choking himself to save the other who was slowly cooked to death.

Her father-in-law would then send ravens ordering Jon Arryn to deliver Robert's and Eddard's heads. One that was not only refused but also ended up kicking off the rebellion.

A rebellion that would ravage Westeros for two years.

A sigh escaped me as I stood watching the waves, the ship I was on was set to arrive at Dragonstone.

The war was over, yet it had no clear victor, with both Robert and Rheagar dead, and the heads of house Arryn and Stark quickly following suit. There was nothing gained, the cost was too high.

Sacrifices were made, and many of the friends that I made throughout my childhood within the Water Gardens might likely be dead. I had no idea if Oberyn or Uncle Lewyn were even alive.

I was tired of war, tired of death, yet I had to stay strong for little Rhae. The memory of the egg's death would haunt me my whole life if only I had listened.

Mya, the person clearly in charge of whatever group this was approached me.

"Princess, we are nearing Dragonstone." her tone was apathetic, though I could feel a bit of hostility, I know that it cost her group a lot to save me and Rhaenys.

"I... I see, thank you."

I didn't know what else to say, I didn't even know how to begin to apologize, but it was obvious she wouldn't care for it.

My daughter was waiting nearby, despite her young age she was smart enough to feel the tension, even if not fully.

Taking her hand I walked to my cabin, getting ready for landing.

Dragonstone was beautiful, any other day I would've admired it. But at the moment I felt intimidated by it as if I was being judged by the Island itself.

A group of men was waiting for us, instead of the Targaryen colors and sigil, they wore all-black clothing with light armor and cloak, held by what appeared to be a crown emblem.

"Captain Mya." A rather gaunt-faced man greeted us, his steel grey eyes seemed apathetic to us.

"Commander." Mya acknowledged the man with a respectful nod and salute.

"At ease Captain, you and your contingent may take rest, I'll debrief you later, dismissed." said the Commander, his eyes softening to Mya, if barely.

Only then did he turn his eyes towards me, my daughter, and what remained of the household.

Captain Mya and her apparent contingent then moved, saluting towards the Commander as they moved out, not giving me and my household a second look.

"I suppose an explanation is in order, Princess." it wasn't a question, merely a statement from him.

I nodded, clearly confused by what just occurred.

"Dragonstone is now under the jurisdiction of House Mudd, Queen Rhaella has agreed to surrender to us, in exchange for her safety and that of her unborn child."

"The Lords of the Narrow Sea, I can't see them agreeing to this." shocked by this, I couldn't help but look in disbelief at the man.

Seemingly agreeing with my statement, the man nodded his head in acknowledgment.

"Normally they wouldn't, but most of their men are either dead or have deserted thanks to the Trident, which has allowed my Squadron and the 6th Banner to easily besiege and takeover the castles." There he went silent.

"What is to happen to me and my daughter?" was my main concern at the moment.

The Commander simply stared at us, his eyes were hard as looking into my very soul, finally breaking his silence.

"That's up to Lord Erlend to decide"