Darkest words

Arianne POV

I did not always have time to watch the kids play. Work increased with each day, but today was the first time my children were going to be taught by uncle Oberyn. They were so excited that even I was curious to see them. Oberyn went easy. I still remember how he fought Edmure when he came to Dorne to propose to me.

I could barely see Oberyn move then. His spear was like a snake moving on its own. I remember Edmure being defeated quite quickly, yet while others would have complained or whined, he only smiled and accepted his defeat. Now, it is said he is the best swordsman in the world. It is hard to believe that more than ten years have passed since then.

Now, Oberyn would move slowly and carefully. My poor redheads still couldn't catch even the shadow of Oberyn. Axel was already six growing taller each day, Oberyn had said that he had great talent and enjoyed swinging his wooden sword, but Geralt was a genius if Oberyn was to be believed.

Both Axel and Geralt were running around Oberyn, trying to slash or stab at him. Oberyn would move out of the way and gently nudge them with his spear. At least they enjoyed it. Still, they were children, especially Geralt, who wasn't even five years old. It wasn't good for them to stay so much under the scorching sun.

"My lady," Just as I was to call the boys to have rest, one of my servants ran up to me. "The hawk flew in through the window bringing a letter."

A hawk? It could be only Styx. I received a raven from Edmure a few days ago. It could be urgent if he had to use Styx. I took the letter from the servant's hands and unfolded it. The handwriting wasn't Edmures. I read the letter gripping it with both my hands. They were the darkest words I have ever read.

'We are surrounded, no hope of escaping. Presumably, it is Greyjoy remnants. They have a dozen ships, unknown numbers. The chance of victory is slight. If you don't hear anything from us soon, presume we are dead. We don't have much time, tell my family I am sorry. Edmure loves you and proclaims you, Arianne Martell, the regent of the Riverlands, until Axel is old enough. Goodbye, Patrek Mallister.'

It was hard to breathe. My hands started to shake. I would have fallen if Oberyn didn't hold my shoulders. He looked concerned at me. I had to stay strong. Edmure wouldn't die so easily. I refused to believe it. Still, I needed to prepare for the worst. It wasn't just my husband who might be dead. Edmure was the lord Paramount of the Riverlands and the Hand of the King.

…

It wasn't hard to find the King. There were only a few places he could be if he wanted to stay reclusive. The godswood was the most frequent place he would stay. The King was sitting under the heart tree. It wasn't a weirwood like in Riverrun but a great oak covered in smokeberry vines.

Besides the King's feet, his enormous direwolf was lying. When I got closer, the white wolf looked at me with red eyes. The King seeing his pet's movements, turned to look at me too. He put down the sword he was sharpening and stood up to greet me. I bowed to him before walking up to him.

"If it is you who came to me, it must be urgent," Jaehaerys, the third of his name, said.

I nodded and gave him the letter I had received. His eyes hardened after reading it, resembling cold stone. I let him have a moment to gather himself. He nodded at me and rubbed his hand across his pet's white fur. Ghost was the name of the direwolf. I heard it could rip a horse's neck and devour a man.

"Only prince Oberyn knows of it besides me," I told him.

"I come here when many heavy thoughts weigh my mind," Jaehaerys said. "It is the only place I feel small and insignificant. It helps me to make decisions. I would ask myself what Edmure would do. What would he advise me?"

"You been fine without Edmure so far," I told him.

"Maybe, but only because I always thought that no matter how much I fucked up, Edmure would be able to fix it. I was not too fond of it, but I accepted that I was still not good enough."

"Nobody is, and nobody will ever be. That's what Edmure would always say."

"It sounds like him," Jaehaerys replied. "I'm sorry to show how pathetic I am, especially when you stand strongly before me."

"I only came to inform you, your grace. You don't need to mind me."

"The Greyjoy renmants? Could it be Asha Greyjoy?"

"Maybe, but most likely, it is Euron Greyjoy."

"Euron Greyjoy?" Jaehaerys wasn't familiar with the name.

"He was exiled from the Iron Islands years ago."

"Now he returns. He probably has Lord Edmure and ser Patrek as his captives. He will try to negotiate with me about the lordship of the Iron Islands."

"Some time ago, I heard the news that a Kraken was helping a dragon to the Iron Throne."

"A dragon? The only alive Targaryen besides me is Daenerys Targaryen. Does she want to challenge me, or does she not believe I am her nephew?"

"She might refuse to believe."

"With what army will she try to win against me?"

"Golden company," I replied. "I heard they were on the move, but I can't provide more details."

"Nothing is certain yet. Can you inform Lord Mallister?" Jaehaerys asked. "I will need to prepare for the small council."

"Very well."

The King walked out of the godswoods with his wolf striding behind him. It surprised me that the King would bring his wolf to the Red Keep. As long as I have been here, the wolf stayed in the godswoods. I stayed in the godswood for a while. It was quiet and peaceful. It let me collect my thoughts and push forward.

…

"Even if he is a Septon, he must follow the laws," The Master of Laws, Jason Mallister, could be heard arguing with someone in his solar. "He will stay in the dungeons until his trial is over."

"But my lord, he is a man of faith and gods."

"He is a criminal that conspired with slavers. If he is innocent, he will be set free. Now be gone before I put you all with him."

Three men walked out of the Master of Laws solar. From their robes, I could tell they were servants of the seven. Since the merchants who supported the faith were raided, many were guilty of hiding their wealth and evading taxes. The worst were those who used the faith of the seven to convince poor people to leave with them to Essos, where we suspected they were sold to slavery.

"Arianne, what brings you here?" Lord Jason Mallister asked, seeing me. "Don't get me wrong. I rather have you than those zealots of priests and deceitful merchants."

"I am sorry, but my visit didn't bring anything good," I replied and gave him the letter.

"Death, I was always worried about Patrek since he let with Edmure. I felt relieved when I heard that he is returning home from the Iron Islands, yet the gods aren't merciful."

"I am sorry to bring the bad news."

"It isn't your fault," Lord Jason Mallister responded with downcast eyes. "Edmure is alive."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"It isn't just kind words. Patrek would die protecting Edmure, and Edmure wouldn't let his friend's death go to waste. No matter what, Edmure will survive and come back."

What he said had some truth. Edmure wasn't someone to give up without a fight. I held no unnecessary hope that he would return soon, but I believed he was fighting to the end wherever he was. Nobody has brought him down, and no one will. It wasn't a blind belief. Edmure had proved to me that he was capable of everything if he set his eyes to it.

"I will inform Jennelyn. You should rest, dear," Lord Jason Mallister touched my hands. "You should be with your children right now. Leave everything else to me."

"Thank you, Lord Mallister," I agreed.

…

All of my cousins, who arrived with Oberyn, stayed by my side. Oberyn was playing with the kids while I talked with my cousins. Nymeria was always graceful, with her straight braided long dark hair. Her lilac robes couldn't hide her beauty. Yet she was dangerous and deadly as her older sister Obara, who lacked the same beauty.

Tyene was the most different from any of us. She had pale skin, golden hair, and blue eyes. She shares her father Oberyn's knowledge of poisons, her chosen weapon. Her soft pale hands were as deadly as Obara's callused ones. Obara stood not far away, tall, and looked out for my children. I could trust all of them to protect my family.

"Tyene," I called out to my cousin. "I want you to prepare an antidote for any deadly poison you know."

"You fear an assassination?" Nymeria asked.

"To not fear would be foolish. The wedding will be in a couple of weeks. Something bound to happen then."

"The whole city will throw a festival. People will arrive and leave without notice," Tyene commented. "There won't be a better chance for an assassination."

"I will see that nobody approaches the children," Obara promised.

"You don't have to worry, Obara. I will use all our forces in the city," I replied. "Nobody will be able to come close to me or my family without me knowing first. I am most afraid for the King."

"He doesn't have a Kingsguard," Tyene said.

"No, he doesn't, but don't be fooled, he is a skilled fighter, and he has his wolf with him," I told them. "Yet anyone can succumb to poison."

"That's true," Tyene agreed. "I will prepare as much as I can."

"Will you tell the children?" Nymeria asked.

"There is nothing to tell them, Edmure is alive, and we will be waiting for his return."

"They will hear it from someone else," Nymeria said.

"They will hear lies," I replied.

I had other things to worry about, like how a Greyjoy knew where Edmure would be. It is hard to believe that they happen to meet in the vast sea. I would guess that Varys was working with them. His information organization was a mighty one. I did not doubt that there were still remnants in Westeros, even without him being there.

I would have to use all the forces I have to find them. Edmure was captured and held by them somewhere. I will find them no matter what. If they were in Westeros, the Stormlands were the most likely place. If not, I will use everything to scour Esoss. Pentos was involved in many ways with the merchants. It can't be a consequence.

I will find everyone responsible or having any part in it. I will not show any mercy to them. Yet right now, the only thing I could do was to increase the number of my spies and investigate every rumor and anyone's suspicious movements. If Pentos is genuinely involved, I will let the city burn for its ambitions.

A.N. First week of the new year, and I have Covid, fuck my life. Let's hope the worst this year will bring to me. I hope you are all healthy and happy with the new year, don't worry after the week. I finally feel like a human today. This Chapter was prepared for last Sunday, so I am able to post it today. My other stories will continue next week, at least, I hope so.

I read many comments that don't like what I did last chapter, I can only say that I am sorry for my lack of writing skill, but it the direction I will go with the story, I hope those who dropped the story will someday return to finish it. Thanks for reading.

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