A/N: This chapter will focus on the reasoning behind Arin's eventual decision, along with some dialogue between Elaegelle and Arin to facilitate the buildup.

Thanks to Wobb Nox, filipinosberman and Ascalon for beta-ing.

Chapter LXV: The Hurtful Truth

37 AC
Fifth Moon
Rhoyehom (Godsgrace)
Arin Rada

It was just mere days after the outbreak of civil war throughout Westeros, and all the land was reeling from this breaking of the King's Peace.

In all honesty though, it was not unexpected; for years, King Aenys's vacillating, weak personality allowed him to be easily influenced and pressured by other players in the king's court, and while Queens Visenya and Rhaenys managed to hold them at bay, with them gone Aenys's authority was on a steady decline, with more nobles willfully ignoring his concerns or openly attempting to curry more favour with him, all the while poor Aenys struggled to maintain a semblance of order.

And given Maegor's temperament, he would sooner resort to the use of force to rectify such a shortcoming before he would even consider the use of subtle diplomacy.

And that would spiral down to civil war, the very first of the Seven Kingdoms and the Targaryen dynasty at such a troublesome time.

Elaegelle was left utterly conflicted; many called upon her to declare for either of her siblings - the sole wildcard in this game. She delayed her answer, and when pressed for an answer, she was evasive and refused to answer directly, leaving many to wildly speculate on her reasoning.

And in such times of doubt and uncertainty, she decided to consult the one person she trusted as a second father and her greatest teacher: Arin Rada.

"You're incredibly troubled," Arin pointed out.

"Am I?" Asked Elaegelle.

"It's plain on your face, and many servants told me of your recent behaviour," Arin stated, "What's wrong?"

"I think you already know, but it's regarding the future of House Targaryen," Said Elaegelle, "And to be honest, I still can't decide if I'm to raise arms or just not do anything."

Arin set down his cup on the table, his fingers crossed and his eyes fully on Elaegelle.

"Is it because you cannot bring yourself to fight against your own family?" He asked.

"Partly," Elaegelle nodded, "And partly because… I don't know if I'm ready for the throne."

"Please explain," Arin beckoned.

Elaegelle took a deep breath, then began to pour out her heart.

"You've given me the best education anyone could ever ask for, helped me become more self-confident, and gave me the warmest and most comforting family that I could ever be blessed with. Even when others of my family doubted me, even whispered horrible things, you stood firm and even went as far as chastising them in front of their parents. If I had to choose between House Targaryen and House Rada… I would honestly say House Rada."

Arin smiled softly, proud and touched at her words, though Elaegelle's sorrowful expression made it tinged with sorrow.

"I've had whispers in my dreams, Arin. They all say… They say that House Targaryen's time is at an end, that rather than clinging to lingering feelings for my former house, I should… cast them aside… treat them as dead."

Arin solemnly nodded, taking his seat beside a crestfallen Elaegelle, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"For what it's worth, I wish I could help you decide, but this is a decision that no one, not even I, and especially not the Gods, can decide for you," Arin gently informed, "You say you still cannot decide?"

Elaegelle wordlessly nodded, her lips trembling and her eyes full of doubt - lost and confused.

"Then let's start with your dreams, Elaegelle," Suggested Arin, "How long have you had them?"

"Ever since Maegor's declaration of rebellion," Elaegelle answered.

"Mm. Is it the same dream every night, or is there any variation?"

"Some nights it is the same… on other nights, I see blood and violence. I see Maegor's and Zaekos's corpses at my feet, my own swords covered in blood - their blood."

Elaegelle did not tremble or shake - she was made of sterner stuff - but one aspect of her doubt became clear.

"You have no wish to be a kinslayer?" Asked Arin.

Elaegelle exhaled slowly through her nose.

"I just feel if I actually did that, I'd be no better than Maegor," She explained.

"Continue," Said Arin.

"There was one dream in particular that struck me the most," Said Elaegelle, "One where the dragon that once flew over Westeros was struck down by a fox, its coat a pitch black colour and its eyes locked with mine in a predatory gaze."

This time Arin looked slightly alarmed, his face scrunched in concentration as he tried to find an answer to this unexpected conundrum.

"To my knowledge, there's only one such black fox in the world," Stated Elaegelle, her eyes now fully on Arin's, "Arin, what does this mean? Is there something you're not telling me?"

Emotions warred within Arin's eyes, a mixture of shock, confusion, bargaining and depression all phasing between each other in the short span of seconds. Elaegelle waited patiently, saying nothing as she anticipated and dreaded the answer she would receive from Arin.

Eventually, after a few ponderous minutes of pregnant silence, Arin heaved a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumped and his eyes downcast. He looked so much older, the weight of the world's desires and his own ambitions finally dragging him down like a stack of heavy bricks.

"Before I answer, might I ask if you know exactly why you have those dreams?" Asked Arin.

Elaegelle answered, "I hear the voice of Balerion Himself, as if the Father of All Dragons was by my side. He tells me: 'The saga of House Targaryen is drawing to a close, while House Rada continues onward.' Beyond that, nothing else."

Arin covered his mouth, instantly realising what it meant.

"I don't think you'll ever like the answer I have to give," He admitted.

"...No, I won't," Elaegelle affirmed, "But could you tell me, regardless?"

Arin sighed, "Very well."

And he steeled himself before he began to speak.

"Based on what your dreams are telling you, Balerion is speaking in no uncertain terms that House Targaryen is doomed to fall, and crumble into extinction at my hands - at the hands of House Rada. Maegor and Aenys are the reason why."

"How do you know? How are you so certain?" Questioned Elaegelle.

"Not long after the war with Volantis and its renaming into the Archonship of Daeria, when I charted the first expedition into long-lost Choryane, I met with Rhoynamhari herself in the ruins of what used to be the Grand Palace, seat of the long-dead Prince Garin the Great," Arin explained, shocking Elaegelle.

"You met Mother Rhoyne herself?" She gasped, "That is…"

"I know how unbelievable it sounds, and there were times when I thought I was dreaming," Arin reassured, "And yet she came before me. She told me that House Targaryen was cursed by the Fourteen as punishment for the hubris of the Forty Families of Valyria. She said that the Doom was caused by the Fourteen themselves unleashing their anger upon the Fourteen Flames, causing them to erupt and wipe out the heart of Valyrian civilisation due to the dragonlords attempting a ritual - a misguided attempt at attaining godhood."

"Somehow, it both makes sense and doesn't at the same time," Elaegelle admitted, "Did the dragonlords truly attempt something so asinine?"

"I don't know for sure," Arin answered, "But the Gods would never do something like this without due reason."

"And House Targaryen was cursed, even though they never partook in this ritual? Even though they just left Valyria to build their own domain?" Questioned Elaegelle.

"It is because of the highly poisonous ideas they espoused to their children, and so long as they persist, the Fourteen's anger will never truly abate," Arin answered matter-of-factly, "And considering what it has led to…"

"Then House Targaryen is truly doomed…" Elaegelle said sadly, "Even if they survive this civil war, their misfortune will never stop until they are completely gone, one way or another."

Arin dipped his head in a nod.

"In all honesty, I didn't want to believe it was true, that the family my parents worked so hard to build would crumble just like that…" Elaegelle muttered, her lips trembling and her shoulders tense with anger and disbelief.

Arin reached out to hold her hand, but she instinctively withdrew it.

"Can I ask why it must be you, Arin?" Asked Elaegelle, "Why must it be the one man I trust so much, and who was once my father Aegon's greatest ally?"

Arin answered, "If I were to say I originally planned to rebel against him, against House Targaryen, to earn Dorne's independence once again?"

A dichotomy of betrayal and shock flashed across Elagelle's face all at once, and she instinctively recoiled as she stood up from the sofa, narrowing her eyes at Arin.

"Why?" That was all she could ask, words failing her this moment in an ocean of emotional turmoil.

"House Targaryen is doomed to fall, as you know, but curse or no curse, they would fall into the same pitfall of arrogance and delusional invincibility, just as the dragonlords of Old Valyria did," Arin stated clearly, "An arrogance only made more pronounced by their dragons and lack of capable powers to bring them low."

"Unless you count Dorne's Hydromancers," Elaegelle finished.

Arin nodded, "I could not allow future generations of Dornish to be enslaved to the mad whims of a self-destructive house, not least because of a defective prophecy that would eventually drive the land to the brink of destruction - the Prophecy of Ice and Fire."

The Prophecy of Ice and Fire, words she had not heard in many years since her fostering in Dorne started. The Prince that was Promised, born of Ice and Fire, who would save the land from doom at the hands of an eternal winter. Many believed that the fire was House Targaryen, and a handful of her siblings seemed taken with it. Maegor dismissed it as did her parents, calling it childish fantasy.

Any and all Woodswitches found guilty of perpetrating this so-called prophecy were to be put to the sword, so King Aegon decreed. Strangely enough, many Northmen from Gosmerch also participated, behaving very derisively towards them, calling them liars and deluded fools who cannot accept that their prophecy was meaningless. Many of their Druids - the Northern equivalent of Septons and Septas - accompanied them, proclaimed these Woodswitches liars and charlatans.

"It's a meaningless prophecy, Arin. Why worry about that now?" She asked.

"In another time, perhaps without the backing of a Valyrian religion, future generations of Targaryens would easily be influenced by this prophecy, and even force their children to marry each other for the sake of it, not to gain any form of political advantage or other benefits," Arin explained, his tone unusually fierce, "And they would drag down everyone else with them."

"You truly believe that?" Asked Elaegelle again, unsettled by Arin's certainty.

"Yes, I do," Affirmed Arin, "To answer why, I must say I was shown a vision by the Gods."

"What? If this prophecy was given by the Gods, why would they then show you a vision suggesting another path where the prophecy was irrelevant?" Said Elaegelle.

"When I had my talk with Rhoynamhari in Choryane, she told me that not long after I was born, the Gods fought each other in a war in the heavenly realm," Arin explained, "They severely disagreed over the prophecy, and they fought and killed each other as a result. The Udohanar and the Fourteen were among those who disagreed."

What?

Why?

How?

Elaegelle massaged her forehead for a brief moment.

"Now you're outright saying complete and utter garbage."

Arin helplessly shrugged, "That is what I was told, all things considered."

"...When exactly did you plan to rebel?" Asked Elaegelle.

"After King Aegon died," Said Arin, "I felt that Visenya's and Rhaenys's children would eventually feud with each other over control of the throne, and that would be the best time to strike."

"Why are you even telling me this? You could have easily kept quiet and I'd be none the wiser, and then… then maybe my impression of you wouldn't be ruined like this," Elaegelle trembled with anger, "Instead you do what might be the stupidest thing you've ever done in your entire life…! Why, Arin?"

"Because of the dreams you told me you were having, Elaegelle," Arin answered, "If Balerion Himself is going as far as to tell you all of this, it means he believes you are ready to be trusted with this knowledge. At least, that's what I believe."

That struck Elaegelle mute; never in her wildest imagination did she think she would ever receive such an answer to such a convoluted question.

"Can you claim to know if this is truly what it is?" Asked Elaegelle.

"Can a mortal ever hope to comprehend a God's mysterious mind or plans?" Asked Arin rhetorically, "And… for what it's worth, I hoped to not tell you, to spare you the pain."

"...What about now?" Asked Elaegelle, "Will you still declare independence?"

"If nothing changes, if there's no other option, then yes," Arin answered.

Elaegelle took a deep breath, willing herself to control her emotions. When she felt ready, she exited the door and closed it shut, leaving without another word and without looking back at Arin.

Arin leaned back, his face looking upwards at the ceiling. Tears spilled from his eyes, his teeth biting into his lip, feelings of anguish and regret tearing him apart within. He regretted shattering his daughter's hopes and ignorance. Oh, how deep it cut into his heart, how deeply he wished at times like this that he did not have such power and responsibility.

And yet he could not afford to discard his ambition, not when the future of Dorne was at stake. Heavy lay the crown upon the head, and heavier still were the king's burdens.

I'm sorry, Elaegelle. I'm so sorry…

IIOII

That night, she dreamed again, her heavy heart causing tears to spill unbidden unto her pillow.

She knew her father in all but blood would never do something so risky as a rebellion without due cause and without adequate preparation. His rebellion against House Martell was well-founded on grounds of stagnation and oppression of the Rhoynar culture and religion, and their lack of willingness to punish wayward houses like Wyl.

His rebellion against House Targaryen, on the other hand, was on grounds of a self-destructive ideology perpetrated by possession of dragons and their lineage, and if his words were true it meant that no matter what, the last house of dragonlords was doomed to a terrible end.

And the worst part was that it all rang true; she just could not see a future where House Targaryen would not tear itself apart in civil war again. Who knows how many more Maegors and Aenyses would be born throughout history? Certainly many more than the number of Elaegelles and Arins born in a few centuries.

When she opened her eyes, this time the dreamscape was no featureless, blank void but a field of yellowed grass, wilted and on the verge of dying. The sun set in the distance, thick clouds hanging overhead, the trees wilted and bereft of leaves.

"Child, thou art sorrowful," She heard a familiar voice ask, "What troubles thee?"

She looked up to see the huge maw of a dragon in front of her face. Gargantuan in size, its scales were a uniform glossy ebony colour, its amber eyes shining with intelligence far beyond mortals, its wings a translucent grey.

Startled, she jumped and withdrew as she moved to draw her swords, only to grab air.

The dragon chuckled mirthfully in amusement, speaking in the tongue of Humans.

"Calm, Child. Thou art need not be afraid. Prithee, hear what I have to say."

"...Balerion?" Asked Elaegelle.

"None other," Balerion answered, dipping his head in a nod.

"Forgive me, Balerion. I did not expect you to come," Elaegelle said.

"'Tis alright, Child," Balerion reassured, "Tell me, what troubles thee?"

And so, Elaegelle told Balerion all that she learned; the recent dreams she had, the discussion with Arin, and the disturbing revelation that Arin once plotted to rebel against House Targaryen and declare independence, despite being trusted allies.

When she finished, she felt tears spilling out of her eyes, and she hurriedly turned her face away while she wiped them.

"Dost thou wishest this to not be true?" Asked Balerion.

"Yes, I dearly wish so, Balerion," Said Elaegelle.

"Then I must declare every word to be true, Child, for I sent thou those dreams," Balerion said, "House Targaryen no longer holds favour with the Fourteen."

Elaegelle continued to face away, her hopes crushed, not wishing for Balerion to see her crestfallen face.

"Child, look at me," Balerion said.

Elaegelle compiled, and Balerion saw her tearful face in full, her eyes red and puffy. Extending a claw, he gently wiped away a single tear.

"Do not cry, Child. Tis merely the result of their actions and that of their ancestors," Balerion explained, "Arin Rada merely does what he believes the best course of action for Westeros."

"How can you say that when his rebellion would destabilise Westeros instead?" Asked Elaegelle.

"Doth thee believeth the Great Houses of Westeros capable of change on their own, Elaegelle?" Asked Balerion, "Thou knoweth best they would simply squabbleand war with each other time and again as they always have for countless centuries. Only the coming of House Rada stoppeth their feuds, a common enemy they share."

Elaegelle could say nothing in return to counter that statement.

"Doth thou wisheth to understand the true motivations behind Arin Rada's actions, why the Champion of Rhoynamhari wisheth to embark on his ambition?" Asked Balerion.

"Yes, please."

In the face of such a heartfelt statement, Balerion nodded, and then said to her, "Prepare thyself for what I shall show thee."

Balerion showed her a vision, one of chilling winter sweeping the entire landscape like a gigantic tidal wave. It was cold, far colder than what mortal Humans could tolerate, and she felt the chill penetrate deep into her bones. In the distance, she saw shambling corpses - half-rotted or completely decomposed - forming a massive horde charging towards armies of the living, their mouths hung open in eternal moaning, their eyes filled with unlife.

And at the back of the shambling mob, a group of white-skinned humanoids who terrified her, their eyes a chilling winter blue. They radiated the winter chill, as if they were winter itself.

Try as they might, the living could not hold them back, and they were soon overwhelmed. When the last of them died, the living humanoids raised their arms, and the corpses soon rose from the ground, joining the ranks of the dead.

"The ones thou saw are the Great Others, living embodiments of winter who once brought forth the Long Night and nearly brought the world of the living to its knees," Balerion explained, "Come three centuries' time, they will return, intent on finishing what they started."

"The Great Others… those beings told of in stories and folklore, why tell me this?" Asked Elaegelle.

"Because Westeros must unite, but the Great Houses would sooner reclaim their independence and return things to as they were before. House Targaryen lacks what it takes to unite them, House Rada does," Balerion further explained, "And because Arin Rada alone knows what it truly takes to unite a conquered realm."

"And for that reason, you want him to be the conqueror of Westeros?" Asked Elaegelle.

"Yes, I do," Balerion nodded, "I tell thee this, because I wish thee to lend thine strength to him for the war to come."

"...I know this. I know now, and yet… to just throw away my former family like this, it feels like… I'm betraying them," Elaegelle muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Is it truly betraying them when thine own siblings are running it into the ground? When they threaten everything else thou holdeth dear?" Balerion put forth, "Maegor shall never tolerate thine existence so long as thee liveth, for above all else, he is fearful and jealous of thine accomplishments, and wishes dearly to put thee down to sate his own ego.To that end, he shall declare war on Dorne for its failure to answer."

Elaegelle sharply looked at Balerion, then took a deep breath.

"Would he go that far?" Elaegelle muttered, before shaking her head, "No, he would go that far."

Not only would Maegor dare threaten the sanctity of Dorne, he would possibly go after her husband Lorrent and their children, and that was the one thing she would not tolerate.

"I see thou hath come to thine own conclusion. Good," Said Balerion, "I ask thee then, who art thou?"

"I am not Elaegelle Targaryen, I am Elaegelle Rada," She declared.

Smiling at her, Balerion then said, "Then let thou set forth upon thine path thou art have chosen, and may thee never falter."

And with that, the dream ended.

IIOII

The next day, Elaegelle met Arin in his solar for discussion.

"Arin…" Elaegelle began, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry, for storming off like that."

"I'm the one who should be sorry," Said Arin.

"Regardless, I'm here to tell you my decision," Proclaimed Elaegelle, "I've decided to support your ascension to the throne."

This time Arin was completely dumbstruck and at a loss for words.

"To give you context, I was approached by Balerion last night in my dreams," Elaegelle explained, "He affirmed the truth of your words to me yesterday, and that he was the one who gave me those dreams."

"...To be honest, I never expected that you'd be a Dragondreamer [1] since yesterday," Said Arin, "What else did he say to you?"

"That rather than be anguished over what my former family has become, it's better to let go," Elaegelle answered, "To be truthful, I knew that House Targaryen wouldn't last long, not as it is, even though I did dearly wish otherwise. And right now I'm not Elaegelle Targaryen, Princess of King's Landing, but Elaegelle Rada [2, Princess of Rhoyehom. I am your gooddaughter. And rather than claim the throne for myself, I think it's better for you to have it instead, because I know Westeros will be in good hands."

And Arin embraced her in a tight hug, kissing her forehead once, relief washing over him.

"Thank you, Elaegelle. Thank you so much for those words," He muttered, shedding tears of happiness.

As they broke the embrace, Elaegelle said, "That being said, I don't think we should just declare for ourselves so quickly; others might take us as power-hungry and eager to destabilise the kingdom for our own ends."

"Declaring for Aenys isn't an option, as you know," Arin pointed out, "Though doing so would mean showing our opposition to Maegor and thus bring more of the nobility to our side."

"Honestly, I don't think he'll last very long, either," Said Elaegelle, "Maegor has the battle-hardened dragonriders on his side, while Aenys and his like-minded siblings lack their experience. He will try to resist, I'm certain, but for naught."

"Meaning we'll likely have to let him die," Arin suggested, "When that happens and he declares war on us, that's when we get the righteous cause on our side."

"That we will," Said Arin, "Let's get the people assembled; we've a war to plan for."

"I'll have it no other way," Elaegelle smiled.

IIOII

A missive had arrived from King's Landing, read to all courtiers in Rhoyehom.

King's Landing had fallen to a lightning strike by Maegor's forces, and King Aenys and all his siblings who allied with him were slain in battle, their dragons fallen. Assuming the mantle of King, Maegor then issued his next proclamation: Elaegelle Targaryen was declared a rebel, and all other lords of Westeros called to arms to slay the 'traitorous wench undeserving of her dragon. Anyone and everyone who sided with her was declared a rebel and thus to be dealt with accordingly.

The Dornish courtiers were appalled by this declaration, for Elaegelle was now one of the Dornish, a decorated general and beloved princess. For Maegor to go so far was to go against everything House Rada had done for House Targaryen.

Standing before the courtiers, Arin tore apart the declaration and cast it into a nearby brazier.

"Maegor has demonstrated to the entire world his incompetency and lacklustre nature, displaying his empty pride and ego for all to see!" Arin declared, angered beyond measure, "He spat upon the alliance between our two houses, he spat upon everything our dear Elaegelle has achieved in the name of the Iron Throne, and worse of all, he spat upon the unity of his own household, slaying his own brothers and sisters in battle! I say no more! I say we fight Maegor, and show him the price of backstabbing one's own allies!"

All the court cheered uproariously, Rhoynar and Bhreynar and Valyrian alike.

Then Elaegelle stepped forward and declared to everyone, "House Targaryen is no longer fit to rule the land, sad as I am to say. In my brother's hands, it shall be driven to ruin. For this reason, I hereby relinquish my claim to the Iron Throne, and grant it to Arin Rada instead!"

Gasps of shock and pleasant surprise rang out among the audience, yet very quickly they declared their support.

"Hurrah for King Arin Rada!"

"Hail the new King of the Seven Kingdoms!"

"Hail, hail!"

Arin raised a fist to quieten down the courtiers, and they fell silent again.

"If it is the people's wish, then I am at their command!" He declared, "Ready the troops! This day, we go to war!"

As the speech ended and the courtiers were dismissed, Arin and Elaegelle quickly convened in the war room to plan their next move.

"Fine speech, My Lord," Said Huang Xue smilingly, before turning to face Elaegelle, "I didn't think you'd really give up your claim to the throne, Lady Rada."

"It's just to make several things easier, Huang Xue," Said Elaegelle.

"Be that as it may, there has been no such precedent in all of history, Your Highness," Said Jaehaerys.

"I'm not a princess of House Targaryen anymore, Calderon, no need to call me 'Your Highness' anymore," Said Elaegelle.

"Of course, Your H-I mean My Lady," Jaehaerys corrected himself, "So what is our strategy for this war?"

"Ordinarily, if the other Kingdoms were united, we'd be facing a war of attrition, so I would have considered using the Red Mountains and deserts to our advantage and whittle them down one army at a time," Arin pointed at the map of Westeros, "It would be a winnable, but very difficult war to fight, and one that would have utterly exhausted our military and economic potential."

"As things stand, however, we can afford to go on the offensive, but only after we blunt Maegor's initial offensive," Huang Xue added, pointing at the seas between the Stormlands and Dorne, "He will likely attempt to attack first with sheer force of dragon numbers, hoping to strike us down before we can formulate any kind of defense."

"Maegor is arrogant beyond measure; it's a simple task to bait him out and convince him to disperse his forces," Elanzo suggested, "Employ a strategy of divide-and-conquer, use as many decoys as possible and kill them one at a time."

"That's our best bet right now," Elaegelle agreed, "Once we finish off the enemy dragonriders, we march upon the rest of Westeros. And this time, we must finish what Aegon the Conqueror never did."

"Then that will be all," Arin said, "Declare a state of emergency throughout Dorne and warn every single fortress, castle, town and village to anticipate dragonriders. Sainalia, obtain information on the Targaryens' predicted targets."

"Aye, My Lord," Said Sainalia.

"Everyone else, ready your troops," Arin finished, "I'll see you all on the other side."

With the war council finished, it was time to prepare. Will they win against the Targaryens, or will they be massacred first? Only time would tell.

[1] Dragondreamer - Refers to those with the blood of the dragon capable of having prophetic dreams of sorts. They often, but do not always, involve dragons.

[2] Some diehard Targaryen loyalists would brand Elaegelle a traitor for forsaking her namesake, owing to her deeper loyalties to Dorne. She would forever be the subject of polarised opinions by future historians, but also a prime example of how loyalties could be swayed by the right treatment of people.