Back to Dorne

Edmure POV

After the fall of Pyke and the Greyjoys, the rest of the islands had no other choice but surrender. Hostages were taken from every house, minor or significant. Some would go to the North, some to the Riverlands, and few to the Reach. Of course, I took the most spoils of this war. Now all that was left was to send a report to the King, who would determine the fate of the Iron Islands.

Robb took a portion of the longships left in the Iron Islands, and with the help of Seagard's fleet, he returned to the North. I asked Lord Redwyne to sail my men back to the Riverlands while Patrek and I took a couple of his ships to sail to King's Landing. If the winds were kind, I could still get back to King's Landing before the wedding of the King.

I wanted to visit Dorne while the opportunity was still presented to me. I had many things to discuss with prince Doran Martell. Patrek, the free spirit he was, didn't want to return home just yet, so he volunteered to come with me. I didn't mind as he was good company, and I won't have much to do while sailing.

Too bad I couldn't leave just yet, as I had to send letters and wait for responses. While I stayed in Pyke, I ensured the Iron Islands wouldn't have the power to threaten the rest of the Kingdoms for a while. Leaving just bare minimum ships, so they could trade, ensuring that a significant portion of iron would be sold to the Riverlands every year.

I wanted them to be depended on my fertile lands for their livelihood. Making deals with the most houses to buy food from the Riverlands. The Reach will be furious once they find out, but they can't force trade when I take advanced pay. No matter what prices the Reach might want for the Iron Born to buy food from them, they won't have enough to pay.

"My lord, the preparations are done," One of my knights informed me. "We can leave at any time."

"Good, but we will wait for a few more days till I get the letters I am waiting for."

The Redwynes left long ago. The Islands didn't have enough resources to supply their people and a foreign army. Lord Redwyne didn't have a choice but leave after the fighting was over and the Iron Islands surrendered. For now, I made Lord Harlaw the lord of the Iron Islands, as he is head of the most powerful house right now. Still, he has to report to Robb and the King regularly.

…

In the days I stayed in Pyke, everything went smoothly. The lord of the Iron Islands has resigned to their fate, even if they had few complaints. I got confirmation from the King that he agreed to annex the Iron Islands to the North and make Robb their lord Paramount. I have also been noticed that Myrcella and Tommen waters had been settled in Riverrun.

A few letters arrived from Arianne informing me of happenings in King's Landing and asking when I would return to her. She tried to guilt trip me by mentioning how my children missed me. The tactic worked, and after leaving few instructions to the men who would be left to watch the Iron Islands, I took the three ships left for me and my knights and started to sail.

"So, do you think we will be on time for the grand wedding?" Patrek asked.

"If no storms stop us, then yes," I replied. "You sure you didn't want to return home to your wife?"

"She is in King's Landing by now, by my father's side. Too bad I missed the childbirth."

"It has been so long already?" I asked.

"Aye, she should be giving birth at any time."

"Hoping for a son or daughter?" I asked.

"Son, my father should feel reassured that he has an heir worthy of his seat with my son and stop pestering me."

"You will never grow up," I said with a smile.

"I rather become a slave than take on rulership. I have seen how many hours you spent at your table reading and writing. I would die of boredom."

"I am the Hand of the King. I have many duties and responsibilities. It wouldn't be so bad for you."

"Still, bad enough for me not wanting to take any part in it."

"Ha, you never change, do you, Patrek?"

"As you can talk," Patek laughed back at me. "This journey reminds me of the past. Such as last time after the Greyjoy rebellion, we sailed to Dorne."

"Maybe we will participate in some tourneys on the way, as before," I said.

"Who would dare to fight you?"

"I pretend to be a hedge knight. Nobody will know me."

"I like what I hear, a hedge knight winning the tourney. Then revealing to be the Hand of the King," Patrek snickered. "Or you will lose and try to hide your identity, not to embarrass yourself."

"I wonder how many lords would come to me to offer to serve them?" I asked, imagining the horror on their faces when they discovered who I was.

"The old men would die out of the shock."

"Then I would have done the most heinous crime of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Don't worry. The Wall is always looking for recruits."

"If I go to the Wall, I will take you with me."

Patrek and I laughed about the stupid scenarios we came up with. The winds were kind, and it didn't take long before we reached Dorne. The sight of the endless deserts reminded me of the first time meeting Arianne. It was a simpler time when I was so sure of myself. When I thought the world was in my hands.

…

Sunspear has changed a lot since the last time I was there. The Shadow city built against the walls of the Old Palace had become more immense. The harbor was livelier and more extensive, and more ships could be seen going in and out of the port. I still wouldn't call it a city, but it was getting close.

The city was a labyrinth. Without a guide, I would be lost in it before I could reach the Old Palace. Some guards sent by prince Doran led us. He had expected us and prepared to welcome us. Too bad he couldn't leave the palace himself as his health didn't let him. The guard leading us informed me that prince Doran was waiting for us.

Shops and inns became more frequent as we closed into the Old Palace. I noticed many horses in the stables, not Dorne sand steeds, with long necks and narrow heads. These horses reminded me more of the Reach. Before I could question the guards about it, we arrived at the Old Palace, the seat of Martells.

"Lord Edmure Tully, it has been a long time since we met," Doran Martell greeted me, sitting in his wheelchair.

"It has," I agreed. "So long that I could not remember Willas Tyrell living there."

"I am just a guest," I didn't expect to meet him there, of all places.

"We can talk more inside, or do you want to rest first, Edmure?" Doran asked.

"Patrek and my knight are exhausted. They would be grateful for soft beds and hot baths."

"It will be provided to them, and they can join the dinner."

Doran has become old, old beyond his years. He had more white hair than black. I could see his eyes narrow at the pain he constantly felt. I kept silent about Willas Tyrell for now. But I would have to ask about him when we are alone. I didn't particularly appreciate that I didn't know that he was here.

…

I had forgotten how spicy the food was in Dorne. The Dornish wine was too sour to my taste, but they were rich in flavor. Prince Doran fed us and let us roam as we wished in the Old Palace of the Shadow city. While my men enjoyed themselves, I met Doran in his solar, with only Hotah guarding us.

"What is Willas Tyrell doing here?" I asked what I had in my mind since coming here.

"To mostly pressure me," Doran replied. "After the new King has been crowned, Willas decided to come to me."

"Why?"

"Because your plan worked, the King you wanted is sitting on the Iron Throne. The Tyrells want assurance that they can keep their power."

"They are marrying into the crown. What else do they want?"

"Alliance," Doran answered. "Willas is still not married. He seeks a dornish wife."

"You don't have any more daughters, do you?" I asked.

"No, but I have sons, and Willas has cousins."

"I hope you will reach a good arrangement."

"Thank you. Now would you tell me why you have come to me?"

"The King has decided to give the Dorne the dornish marches if you help him to take control of the Stormlands."

"The marches lords of the Stormlands have the strongest castles in all of Westeros. It won't be easy to take them."

"That's why the King asks only for help. He will send Oberyn with a sizable host to join your host. I don't think many would try to fight to the end, but it was decided that if you can keep the lords of marches on a leach, the King will annex these lands to Dorne."

"What will happen with the rest of the Stormlands?"

"They will become the Crownlands, under the King's direct control."

"You will face many oppositions," Doran said.

"Even so, it is better for the future. There is no Stormlord that can hold the Stormlands on his own."

"It is too good of a proposal to refuse," Doran agreed. "I will prepare the host as soon as possible."

"Good, then I should write to the king."

"Will you stay for long?"

"Why? Am I not welcomed?" I asked jokingly. "Well, don't worry. I will leave for King's Landing soon enough."

After my talk with Prince Doran, it didn't take long for Willas to find me. The younger man acted courteously around me. He was talking about the past when I met him first and thanking me for the advice I gave him back then. To most, he might look dull and not assuming, but I knew he had a lot going for him.

"Have you heard of the Mother of the Dragons, lord Edmure?" As we talked, he asked suddenly.

"No, I have not been able to get much information as of late."

"I need to confirm, but it seems that princess Daenerys is still alive and has hatched three dragons."

"How likely is that to be the truth?" I asked, feigning ignorance. I was surprised he had gotten the information faster than me.

"Who knows? But if that is the truth, it is good that the King is now a Targaryen. Otherwise, I would fear what would have happened to us all."

I could tell he was testing me to see if I knew something. But his words only revealed that the Tyrells have a good information network. Maybe better than my own. Once I return to King's Landing, I will have to allocate more resources to expand my network. Information was a powerful weapon, and I didn't want to lose it.

For now, I will rest here for a few days before leaving. I was pretty sick of sailing and wanted to enjoy the sturdy land. I also wanted to know Willas better, Sansa was of marriage age, and I wondered if he could be a good choice. The Tyrells might distance themselves from me from the previous actions I took, but I wanted them to be close so that I could watch them.

A.N As always, If you want more, up to five advance chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852