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Prince Doran Martell was sitting in his chamber in Sunspear. He was dressed in an orange robe and orange satin pants. He watched as Lucynda was getting ready for the day. She looked over her shoulder with a coy smile. She was wearing a pale lavender silk nightdress. The night dress had thin straps and was trimmed in Myrish lace. It flowed to the floor. Her sleek black hair hung down her back. She walked over, taking a candied lemon and a bite. She placed her matching robe on a chair near the bed and walked over to him. He motioned for her to sit next to him. She gave him a coy smile. He smiled back at her. He took a drink of his Dornish red wine.
"You look lovely, my love," Prince Doran told her.
"Thank you, my love" Lucynda replied.
Lucynda kissed him softly as she sat down. He smiled at her taking her hand. He rubbed the top of her knuckles. He questioned the gods why he did not meet Lucynda first. Yes, he loved Mellario for a time. Truly their relationship was stranded even before, Quentyn's death. The accident, that caused Arianne and Mellario to leave him, involved the near death of his nephew and the death of his son. Mellario blamed Aegon for Quentyn's death and demanded justice. But Doran considered Aegon's side and the soldiers who witnessed the accident. And Aegon's side by all accounts was the truth and he couldn't destroy the last part of his younger sister even if Aegon was to blame for Quentyn's death which he wasn't. But Mellario and Arianne saw his love for his sister and his unwilling act without the truth as a disrespect to his son and his wife. And he did love Arianne, Quentyn, and Trystanne with all his heart. And in the back of his mind, he knew that if he met Lucynda first he would not have children. And likely his brother would be the next Prince of Dorne. And even now he stilled Arianne. She is his little girl, his princess, he wants the best for her and her future. He was not sure if he ever see her again.
"What is it my love," Lucynda asked.
"Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart," Doran answered as he brought her hand up to kiss her hand.
"You know you can tell me anything. I am here to help shoulder burdens," Lucynda told him.
"I know sweetheart, I do, but I am thinking of what could have been," Doran told her.
"You are thinking of Arianne and Lady Mellario," Lucynda said looking down.
Doran looked at her. She gave him a ghost of a smile. That statement hung in the air. There was a heaviness in the room. A pounding on the door broke the tension in the room. Lucynda and Doran looked at each other. Doran walked over to the door. He had a pained expression on his face from his gout.
"Prince Doran a letter from Ser Dastan Baerley," Aero called.
"Ser Baerley isn't he Elayna's grandchild, your distant cousin," Lucynda asked.
"Yes, he is my first cousin once removed," Doran answered turning to look at her.
Lucynda stood and looked at him in shock. Doran turned back to the door. He opened it Aero handed him the rolled-up letter. Doran took it and shut the door behind him, He bared the Baerley's seal. Lucynda and Doran's eyes met as he stared at the seal. Doran broke the seal and unrolled the letter. The letter started simply at first. It explained that he was now in King's Landing in the service of King Aegon and Queen Joanna to protect and get the Queen's cousin away and out of King's Landing. It told him that volunteered to go and story that was worked up. But then the letter went to what he saw when he was there, or rather who. Doran's hand started to shake with rage as he read what Dastan saw there. It explained how the lady could be no one else but his niece, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. The letter fell to the floor in a crumpled pile. Doran stormed over to his desk. Lucynda looked at him concerned. He wrote a quick letter. His shoulder shaking in rage as tears fell from his eyes. As he thought of everything, she could have faced and what she was still facing. His hand trembled as placed his seal on the letter. He was breathing deeply trying to calm the raging emotions that battled within. Lucynda came over placing her hand on his shutter shoulders.
"Doran, what happened?" Lucynda asked concerned.
"Rhaenys is alive," Doran answered with a trembling voice.
Lucynda's eyes went wide as Doran's words sank in. She took Doran's arm, leading him back over to his chair. She handed him his wine. Doran allowed her to help him. She walked back over to his desk picking up the letter. She took it back over to the door.
"Lady Lucynda," Aero addressed her.
"Aero, Prince Doran wants this to be delivered to Ser Dastan discreetly," Lucynda told him.
Aero and Lucynda's eyes met. They talked with their eyes. Aero nodded finally as he caught her message. She turned back to try to help Doran. Aero walked away to find a soldier and the fastest horse.
Sarella walked with her older sisters, Obara, Nym, and Tyene. She was dressed in a teal one-shoulder Dornish style gown. It was pin closed with a golden sun pin and a spear through it. Her black curly hair was styled in twists pulled half up and half down. Her sisters were all dressed as warriors. They were in the training yard with young Lady Arya Stark. They were not happy to be summoned by Queen Joanna. Sarella looked over at them as they complained.
"What do you expect her to do? She is the Queen, sisters. It's her right to summon us not the other way around," Sarella asked finally with a laugh in her voice.
Obara and Tyene gave her a look. Nym looked at Sarella for a moment but the more she thought about it she was being truthful. Even if Joanna was not married to Aegon. She had more rights to the Iron Throne than any of them. With her marriage to Aegon, she had even more rights to the Iron Throne.
"What do think has happened," Nym asked.
"I have no idea. We all know she is pregnant. There would be more people if she lost the pregnancy. Ser Edric told me Ser Sandor told him that received a letter from King's Landing. I can only imagine," Sarella answered.
"Maybe, we will ride for war sooner," Obara replied with a smile.
"Perhaps," Sarella stated.
Tyene looked at Sarella for a moment. She linked arms with her. They all moved closer to Joanna and Aegon's chambers.
"The knights whisper you were in the gardens with a man," Tyene teased.
"I was not alone, I was with Lady Valla, and his name is Ser Addam Hawthrone," Sarella tried to explain.
Tyene and Nym gave her a look. They both knew she was attracted to this Addam Hawthrone. Sarella looked down. Nym smiled at her.
"Do you think you will end up with him," Nym asked.
"I seriously doubt it. In Dorne being a Sand would not be a problem. But here in the rest of Westeros," Sarella's voice trailed off.
"That is bull shit. Your cousin is the King. Aegon can make you a Martell with a single action. If you like him go for it. We will support you," Obara spat out.
Aegon rushed into the room, looking very concerned. He dropped to his knees in front of her, checking every part of her exposed skin for signs of injury. His hand finally rested on her baby bump. He kissed it before meeting her eyes from his knees. Shireen quickly bowed to them both as she left the room. Aegon stood to kiss her. The kiss was filled with love and concern. They pulled apart and rested their forehead against each other.
"You and the baby are all right, right?" Aegon asked finally.
"Yes, Ñuha jorrāeliarzy (My Beloved). We are fine," Joanna answered.
"You had me worried. When Ser Barristan informed me that you called for me. I left in such a rush. I may have insulted our commanders," Aegon informed her.
"I'm sure many of them understand, especially the ones that are fathers," Joanna reassured him.
Prince Oberyn came into the room. He was followed by his daughters. Nym, Obara, and Tyene looked annoyed. Prince Oberyn leaned against the desk in the chamber. Sarella walked past Oberyn. He raised his eyebrow as she passed him. He watched as she sat down near Meraxes petting her. Meraxes opened her golden-orange eye looking at Sarella. She settled back down, allowing Sarella to pet her as she slept. Sarella looked over to her father with a smile on her face. He looked back to Joanna and Aegon who were looking at each other lovingly and silently communicating with their eyes.
"What was so important! We were training" Obara demanded finally.
Aegon turned and glared at his cousin. Oberyn even glared at Obara. Joanna rose from her seat. She placed one hand on Aegon's shoulder while the other rested on her baby bump while the letter was still in her hand. Oberyn noticed the piece of paper that was in Joanna's hand. Aegon turned to look at her. She raised her eyebrow as she gave him the letter for him to read. Aegon started to read the letter.
"I received a letter from King's Landing from Ser Lorent. Inside of it, there was news I feel that you all should know," Joanna started.
Aegon's hand went to a fist as he read. He started to shake his head. The dragons' angry roars echoed through Harrenhal. Oberyn could tell something major was in that letter. Aegon dropped the letter in a crumbling pile. Joanna watched as Aegon stormed out of the room most likely to let out his anger. Sarella rose picking up the letter. She scanned the letter. Her eyes went wide in disbelief.
"What is it?" Oberyn asked seeing Sarella's reaction along with Aegon leaving the room.
"Rhaenys maybe have survived the sack of King's Landing. There is a woman who bears a striking resemblance to a Martell mixed with Aegon's features, according to Ser Dastan, who now Serving as lady Janei lady in waiting. They write she goes by Lady Rhae," Joanna finished.
"That is impossible," Oberyn growled as he stormed out of the room.
He was quickly followed by Obara, Tyene, and Nym. Sarella handed the letter back to Joanna. Joanna and Sarella shared a look. Once they were alone, Joanna had tears in her eyes. She knew what this meant to them.
"Do think it possible, Lady Sarella," Joanna asked.
"I don't know, your grace," Sarella answered squeezing Joanna's hand.
"Leave me," Joanna ordered.
Ser Dastan walked through the gardens. He spied Lady Rhae. Her hair was down in loose ringlet curls with two pieces twisted back at the back of her hair. She had a simple clap holding it in place. She wore a golden southern-style gown with orange trim lining the square neckline and hem of the gown. She was walking with Lord Varys. They were talking. Lord Varys said goodbye to her walking off to see his little birds. Lady Rhae turned to head back to Queen Janei. Her eyes went wide as she spied him. She bowed her head as she passed him.
"Allow me you escort you back to Queen Janei, Lady Rhae," Ser Dastan offered.
"It is no problem I can go on my own," Lady Rhae told him.
"I incise," Ser Dastan told her offering her his arm.
Rhaenys looked around she noticed too many people. All who could report that she was not showing respect to the "new Prince of Dorne". She took his arm reluctantly. They began walking back to the castle. She looked over at him. He was quite handsome. His dark waves hang loose around his shoulders. It was partly tied back in a clasp. They walked in silence.
"So, what made you turn against you lord?" Rhaenys asked finally when they were alone.
"Who said I did," Ser Dastan started. Rhaenys gave him a look. He turned his dark eyes, meeting her bright amber eyes. He looked to make sure they were alone. Before their eyes locked. "I serve my cousin, your brother," Ser Dastan replied.
Rhaenys eyes went wide, and her face lit up at the mention of Aegon being alive. She quickly put back up the indifferent mask. Ser Dastan smiled at her. He had a charming smile. He stopped as they reached Queen Janei's chambers. He bowed kissing the top of her hand.
"I don't have a brother," Rhaenys called out.
"Your eyes say differently my lady," Ser Dastan replied as he walked away.
Ser Dastan now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lady Rhae was, indeed, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Joanna walked with Jaime and Tywin. They were walking along the courtyard. Where Aegon was sparing with his cousin and uncle. The dragons circling overhead were still echoing their anger. Joanna paused resting her arms on the stone wall. Jaime stood on one side of her as Tywin stood on the other. They watched as Aegon put all his anger at the thought that he was so close to his sister. Joanna knew that Aegon desired to save her more than anything. She let out a sigh, looking down. She was not sure what to believe.
"What is bothering you, my dark-haired lioness," Tywin asked concerned.
"I receive a letter from Ser Lorent. In that letter, it stated that he and Ser Dastan had found Princess Rhaenys Targaryen." Joanna told him. She turned to look at him. She wore such a confused look on her face. So many thoughts race behind her eyes. Tywin clearly could see them. He looked over at Jaime. Jaime looked down for a moment, revealing his shame. It was like he was remembering his time serving the Mad King. "Grandsire, is it even possible?" Joanna asked with tears in her eyes.
"Joanna…" Tywin started.
"Yes, it is possible," Jaime answered at the same time.
Joanna's blue-green eyes snapped to Jaime's emerald-green eyes. Tywin's eyes did as well. Jaime took a deep breath before he continued. He looked over to Aegon. He looked back at Joanna as he started to explain.
"Princess Rhaenys had a lady maid. They were similar in age. They looked nearly identical at least at that age. I believe her name was Rhona. Many knew that Ser Lewyn had a paramour. Everyone thought she was a high-born lady, but she was a servant. Rhona was the daughter of a servant and Ser Lewyn Martell. Which explains why they looked so much alike. They played together every day. Sometimes, they even switched clothes. It was only Princess Elia who could truly tell them apart. The were times that she could not tell them apart," Jaime explained.
Joanna looked at him taking in what he had just explained. Her eyes went wide as she looked over at Oberyn. She remembered her history. Ser Lewyn was killed on the trident. This meant that Rhaenys was thought to be Rhona they had no way of telling or getting her to the Martell or out of King's Landing. Her eyes looked over to Tywin in disbelief.
"It is possible. Even more so my dear with this information. For me to admit that fact I am glad I failed. I still have informants in King's Landing. I'll reach out to them. I will see what they know. If it is true. We will get them out; both your cousin Lady Janei and Princess Rhaenys I make this vow," Tywin told her.
Tywin took a dagger out. He cut his palm, sealing his vow in blood. He let his blood drip in the fire of a torch. Jaime looked at his father with wide eyes. As the smoke rose from the torch. Tywin placed his dagger back in his belt. Joanna looked at him in shock. Jaime and Joanna both knew that Tywin just made a blood vow. Tywin wiped his palm on his pants as a servant went to hand him a piece of cloth to seal the wound. Tywin's eyes went wide as he noticed that the wound was healing right before his eyes. Leaving a scar behind much like the scar on Joanna's lip and her hand. Tywin's eyes met Joanna's eyes. She gave him a look that said it all. Tywin looked skyward as the dragons circled overhead. Joanna was telling him the truth. She followed the fourteen flames of Old Valyria. She wanted Ser Lorent to make his vow in blood. He now understood why.
"You truly saw them," Tywin stated in disbelief.
"Yes, I did" Joanna replied.
Author note: I know this chapter is on the shorter side. But feel it has intense emotions. Let me know what you think. I hope you like it.