Prince Hidden in the Sands

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Summer Sea

—

"Aegon is alive, and as if now he rules Storm's End," Daemon said as he looked at the 3 before him, Rhaenys, Arianne, and Oberyn. All of whom held looks of surprise at the news he was given, the Targaryen Princess with fresh tears of joy, and the latter two of knowing that their sister/aunt's child was still living and breathing. "I do not know how he's alive but what I do know is that he has been with the Golden Company with Jon Connington."

Hearing that name made the oldest in the room snarl, which caught the prince's attention and he nodded showing that he also didn't like this news as well. However, from the looks the two were receiving from the Targaryen princess, she wasn't in the know.

"Jon Connington was one of the few who disagreed with Daemon's mother's and father's marriage to the point he would have betrayed Rhaegar, which thankfully he didn't but still nothing was stopping him," Oberyn answered the unasked question. "He also probably knows about the possibility of the two having a child, and if I know that man then he could have told Aegon anything to draw him away from accepting Daemon"

This made Rhaenys gasp, knowing what this could mean. Her eyes flew to her youngest brother. "Yes, there's a chance that a lone dragon has been manipulated by a griffin and that I might have to draw my sword to Aegon." Everyone looked down at the table, not liking what this might lead to. "However, if I get a say in it, that won't happen. I promise that neither of us will become a Kinslayer."

Daemon found Rhaenys looking at him with a smile at what he said, he returned it but once he received a nod, it faded as he looked back to those around him. "Which brings me to another topic I summoned you all here." His eyes then landed on the Dornishman. "Prince Doran has made my existence known to the Targaryen Loyalists. I am now an official candidate for the throne, which only heightens the possibility of Aegon and my swords clashing." Again frowns found themselves on those there. "However to stop this from happening I have a plan to make sure that we do not have to fight each other."

A sadness flashes through Daemon's eyes as he begins talking about the man who betrayed his trust. "But before I talk about what I plan I must tell you my plans for Prince Doran." This got everyone's attention, and when he said that realization dawned on Oberyn and Arianne's face at what the Prince of Dorne had done. "Doran has broken my trust by letting my existence be known to the Targaryen Loyalists. He knew that I had no desire for the throne, we also had a plan to follow, and he ignored it. So as I am his King, he must suffer the consequences of his actions against me, little as they may be."

Daemon looked at the table before him and a sadness came and clenched his heart. He didn't want to do this, but Doran, someone he has grown to love as family, betrayed him and made plans that have been in the waiting for years. The Stark-Targaryen also knew that the dornish man was doing what he thought was for the best. Shaking his head Daemon willed the hurt to leave, as of now he was a king and he had a duty to punish those who betrayed him.

Looking up from the table he watched as Oberyn went to say something he wanted to know what Daemon planned on doing with his brother, but before the Red Viper went to say a thing a knock came from the door, making everyone look at it, waiting for the person to speak.

"Your Graces, a flotilla of ships are making their way to us." The voice of Lonnel Snow, and as Daemon asked what banners they were carrying the man answered. "They are carrying the banners of a dire wolf and shooting star."

Immediately hearing those words a smile dawned on the recently made King's face. "So she has come, the Old Gods are good!" He said quietly, looking at those there he said louder. "We will continue this conversation later, right now I must go meet someone." With that he left, Ser Arthur who was standing in the shadows, followed his liege out of the room.

—

Dyanna couldn't help but smile when she saw the fleet of ships ahead, all flying the banners of House Targaryen with a few carrying the Martell flag. But the ship that held her attention the most was the one at the head, the largest ship but also one that held a flag with a red three-headed dragon and a gray dire wolf.

"Ser Wandel!" She called out to the captain of the ship, and feeling his gaze on her the Stark Princess continued. "Is the white flag up?" Looking back Dyanna watched as the knight nodded. "Good, make sure all the ships have theirs up as well."

Looking back at the fleet of 50 ships strong, a smile ever plastered on her face. It's been years since Dyanna last saw Daemon and it pained her, not to be able to see the person she's grown to see as more than a cousin. Yes, they grew up knowing that they weren't truly twins, but that didn't stop either of them from being twins.

They were both born close enough to each other, something she always poked fun at with Daemon, being a few days older than him. But they also shared a lot of similarities, they both found fun in swordplay of any kind, they were also fond of books, and they also knew each other's dreams. But now… Dyanna can say that her dreams have changed since the last they spoke about it.

The legitimized bastard's attention was taken from her thoughts when she heard Visenya growl from beside her, and her dire wolf was followed by the other, a white-as-snow-furred dire wolf that had blood-red eyes. Their growls were soon joined by screams and yell.

"What in the seven hells are those!" A deckman yelled out, pointing towards the sky, and Dyanna's eyes followed and within they grew to the size of small saucers and her smile grew to a grin.

Flying towards them were 3 beasts all of Westeros thought extinct. Beasts whose sizes slowly came into view as they came closer, and not once did the Stark look away. When they landed on the deck she was amazed at the beauty of their scales.

The first dragon, the calmer of the three and whose sapphire blue eyes were staring right at her, had scales of fading gray and a crown of horns adjoining its head. Another had brown scales that matched more with burnt amber, with bronze eyes and a crown of 3 horns. The last, the most aggressive one of the three, had scarlet red scales that glowed only brighter when the sun hit them, and its eyes were what Dyanna would describe as void black.

"Princess, please get back!" One of the guards her father stationed on her said as he held a battle axe and stepped in front of her. But what amazed Dyanna more was that the dragon who was looking at her, finally made a move as it stepped forward and mawl wide open. "Get ready, we don't know wh-!"

"Shut it you fool," Dyanna said in a calmer voice as she placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "They will not harm us." With those words, she showed surprising strength as she pushed the man, someone in his 30s, back behind her. Her purple eyes stared at those who held weapons of all kinds and ordered. "Drop them and take a dozen steps back."

Hesitantly everyone did what she commanded, and there was immediate improvement, the red-scaled dragon closed its mawl, and the brown-scaled one laid down. The alpha dragon, the largest of them, took a step back and closed its mouth, but Dyanna saw that it was keeping its eyes on the man she pushed back.

"Princess." The voice of Wandel Manderly, who has been remarkably quiet and calm throughout the whole ordeal, spoke out, getting her attention. "The leading ship is making course for us now."

Hearing those words reminded the former bastard of where they were going. Looking in the direction of the fleet she indeed found the ship carrying the banner of a dragon and direwolf making its way over to them. A smile once again dawned as she spotted black and white hair and the feeling of a purple-eyed gaze on her.

"Alyn." She spoke out gaining one of the other guards' attention. "Can you grab the case from my room," Dyanna said more than asked. "Quickly if you can." Without even looking, the Princess knew that the man was gone. "Prepare the bridge, we are all going to welcome guests soon!"

—

Oberyn was worried… scared… terrified… so many negative emotions that the sight before him meant nothing. The sight of his ward and his cousin embracing after years of not seeing each other. What was on his mind was what would happen to Doran for what he did.

Yes, he and his brother were never on the same page, but what the Red Viper will say is that Doran was the grass to his viper, without one the other can't move on. 'Damn you Doran. You knew what would happen and you did it anyway.' He said to himself, his eyes looking far off.

However, deep down he knew that he might have a hand in what might happen. While he raised Daemon, he taught the boy one thing and told him to keep it close. Oberyn taught him many things and one of those is to never let those who betrayed him go free, for they might just come back and stab you in the back. Just as Tywin fucking Lannister did to the Targaryen Dynasty.

So the only thing the Red Viper could see for the future of his Liege Lord and brother was either a quick and painless death or a life imprisonment. Shaking his head and running a hand through his hair, Oberyn focused on the other side of Daemon.

The newly named king wasn't crazy or mad like his grandfather, yes he might be ruthless but that is when he's wielding a sword, when he isn't Daemon was calm, collected and sane. Oberyn also knew that to his surrogate son, the family was very important and with Doran being one of the many people who taught him growing up, he could be seen as family. So a part of him was hoping that will be the side that will decide his brother's punishment.

Finally letting his thoughts go he smiled at the sight before him. Dyanna Sand… formerly Sand's but now she was a legitimized Stark. Oberyn remembered the few times she came to visit Daemon, and her beauty only enhanced after many years. She took after her mother quite a bit, with long wavy black hair, deep violet eyes and a figure that made wealthy wives jealous, with hips made for birthing and breasts he can for say sure will be plump and ripe for years to come.

Her Stark traits came from her personality, and if Oberyn remembers correctly, Dyanna was strong with the wolf's blood, making her reckless, stubborn and wild -which explains why she gets along with Tyene and Nymeria so well, they were all wild. It also showed by how she was wearing, and what that was would make every woman above the Red Mountains and south of the Neck, spit and snarl at how she was dressed. To top it all off she had a belt that didn't only hold a rapier on her left waist, but also an axe, and dagger on her right.

A smile even dawned on the Dornish Prince's face when he saw a few pouches, all of them he would only presume were filled with some of the deadliest but also kindest poisons. 'Ah, a fine warrior she grew into.' He said to him as he crossed his arms and gave a gentle nod. 'If only she wasn't three decades my junior, then maybe she could produce a good few Snakes.'

Oberyn chuckled at his thoughts, knowing that it was never going to be a thing. First, he already found his partner for life and because Dyanna was already chasing someone else to sully her flower. His black viper eyes landed on his ward, a smile dancing on his lips.

However, the smile faltered when he saw a pair of blood-red eyes and emerald-green eyes staring at him. "What the fuck." He finally spoke, gaining everyone's attention, they all looked to what caused him to finally open his mouth.

Striding towards the group of people were beasts with the fur of white and the other of a mixture of gray and white. Oberyn wanted to say that they might have been gray wolves but no wolves had that amount of muscle nor did any breeds have that large of a head and mawl. So as the Red Viper watched as they came closer only one wolf breed came to mind. 'Dire Wolves.'

Arianne and Rhaenys followed in his footsteps by taking steps back at the sight of the beasts. However, Daemon and Dyanna remained still, both of their vibrant eyes watching them stride towards them.

"Ah! I almost forgot!" The Stark girl said as she looked at the person opposite her, Oberyn kept an ear out for the information but his eyes stayed on the beasts. "It's a bit of a long story, but Father has integrated the wildings into the North and when they return, Father brought a pack of dire wolves."

So he was correct in assuming that they were what he said. Beasts that once roamed all of the North over 3 centuries ago, but most of all the wolves that held a long and distant relationship with the House of Stark. 'What's next, Krakens awaken and bond with the Greyjoys? Or maybe even Lions start acting friendly with the Fucking Lannisters?" Oberyn asked himself with a chuckle, imagining what he was thinking.

"This one is Visenya, she's mine," Dyanna spoke up once more, the Dornish man looked towards the 2 and found his ward kneeling and running a hand through the fur of the white dire wolf. "Everyone has one, Father has one, he's the biggest of them all and he named him Fenrir, Uncle Benjen named his Beowulf, Robb has Grey Wind, Beron and Cregan named theirs Spring and Night Sky, and Ulrick named his dire wolf Wolf." When the Stark princess finished her smile faltered at the mention of the youngest Stark Son.

From the looks Oberyn was reading it seems as if Ulrick wasn't fond of his wolf pet, which honestly saddens him. It seems that with the youngest Stark boy, the mother's blood is stronger than the father's blood.

Daemon nodded, and Oberyn knew that the newly formed king was remembering all of his cousins and the moments they had together. It seems that it's about time they visit the North, but all those plans would have to be put to the side for the time being.

"What is this fellas name?" Daemon finally asked, hand scratching the dire wolf's ear, making it wag its tail with happiness. Then to everyone's surprise Veraxes came over and gave the Stark-Targaryen boy a pleading look. "Jealous I see." But even so, Daemon scratched the underside of the dragon's jaw.

Dyanna, who seemed unfazed by the appearance of the dragon, chuckled. "Who would have ever thought that a majestic creature such as a dragon could be jealous of a dire wolf." Everyone followed in her footsteps and chuckled at the sight. "To answer your question Dae, that's supposed to be yours." Dyanna scratched the back of her head nervously. "But I've taken to naming him Ghost."

Getting to his feet the newly named king nodded. "A very fitting name if I do say so myself," Daemon said as he looked down to Ghost, and gave a few simple commands, which the direwolf followed without question. "Did you bring the sword Dya?"

Hearing this caught the Red Vipers' attention, and with a simple nod the girl looked to a Stark Guard, and the man came towards them, carrying a wrapped-up sword. "I did, Father entrusted me to bring this to you with utmost seriousness." Dyanna took the sword from the man, who promptly stepped back. Oberyn watched as the Stark girl began unwrapping it, to reveal a sword made for a woman's grip. Once the wrap was completely removed the Stark Princess took a knee and held out the sword towards Daemon. "I bring to you Dark Sister, Your Grace."

Hearing that name made those watching gasp. After so many years apart, the 2 ancestral Valyrian Steel swords were once more together. Daemon took the sword, and unsheathed it, revealing the sword in its entirety. Its blade's rippling steel and smoky of colour. Giving it a few test swings, the boy looked to the captain. "Aurane, make haste to Sunspear." Looking away after receiving a nod from the Bastard Velaryons, Daemon sheathed the sword, and left, Ghost and Veraxes following shortly after.

—

Storm's End

—

"Your Grace, I'm of the mind to execute these traitors." Jon Connington said as he stared at the boy he called king. Before them in chains were Lords Monford Velaryon, Duram Bar Emmon, Guncer Sunglass and Heir to House Celtigar, Adrain Celtigar.

The group arrived days ago, claiming that they brought news of a false bastard king, Daemon Targaryen, someone Jon knew might have existed. He snarled at the memory of that false marriage. The bitch must have manipulated his prince into marrying her and he warned Rhaegar but the man never listened, telling Jon that he was being foolish to think that the bitch would do such a thing.

So when Aegon became of age Jon told him that he might have a stepbrother, but that the boy was most likely crazy and would think him the rightful ruler, and any time the prince asked about the boy he would tell him that he was the Stranger, who would come to his door and kill him where he stood. Or that the bastard would destroy even more history of the great house.

Now with the lords here and with the news they brought, Jon could finally make Aegon have no doubts about what the bastard might do. But what happened next was shocking to the Hand of the King.

Aegon looked over to one of the many guards around the hall and commanded. "Release them from those chains." Reviving a nod from one of them he looked to the lords with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry my lords. I was only notified of your current predicament just recently." Aegon's eyes then turned to him. "I have to ask, under what crimes do these men have to be executed for, Lord Hand?"

Jon looked into his surrogate son's eyes and found a brick wall, something he never saw before in those purple eyes. 'What has happened to make him question my loyalty?' He asked himself before clearing his throat and answering. "Your Grace, they have committed treason and aligned themselves with the bastard who wishes to seek your head. I see no reason to not have them killed."

The man watched as the boy nodded but his eyes went back to the lords and spoke. "Is it true? That you swore loyalty to my brother?" Jon watched as the lords nodded, all rubbing their wrists. "Then you must also have news from him?"

Jon watched as the Celtigar Heir stepped forward. "We do bring news, Your Grace." The man said bowing to the man on the throne. "He told us to come to swear fealty to you and to tell you that your sister, Rhaenys Targaryen is alive and well."

'Shit.' Jon said to himself not having expected that. If Aegon knew that Rhaenys is alive and well with that Bitch's mutt then all of what he told him would be seen as a lie. "They must be lying, Your Grace. Rhaenys was killed during the Sacking of King's Landing." He said looking at his King and when he did he found a glare aimed at him.

"If that was true then I would be dead as well," Aegon said and Jon finally noticed the Palefyre close by with its mawl wide open and ready to kill if he needed to. "If I survived then my sister could have as well, and until I'm proven wrong then I will continue believing she's alive." Jon went to speak but was stopped when the king spoke first. "You may leave us Lord Hand, you aren't giving me worthwhile advice nor are you being reasonable."

The old man was flabbergasted at what he was just told, and without much thought, he nodded and left, and as he did he heard his King say. "Tell me Lord. What is my brother like?" Hearing those words made a frown appear on Jon's face, and his mind was already making a plan to deal with it.

—

TBC

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