I don't own A Song of Fire and Ice.
Chapter 2
It has been years since the War of the Usurper as many Targaryen loyalists called them. Dorne simply called them as well because of the death of their precious princess Elia Martell who was cruelly rapped and killed by the Mountain along with her daughter Rhaenys and son Aegon.
Oberyn Martell loves to travel as he would often leave to explore the world. He lived. Truly lived as he would have the pleasure of his fill of drinks, food, cultures, women, and men. He even brought more daughters to be raised in his brother's house which caused Prince Doran a great amount of patience.
Marianea Sand is quite a child. She would study and learn everything at the Citadel where she studied and learned from famous philosophers. She even spoke several languages in High and Low Valyrian, Summer Tongue, Qartheen, Dothraki, and Common Tongues. Marianea received an exceptional education for her time. She was taught mathematics, astronomy, history, literature, music, arts and crafts. All these things seemed like she was equipped for an educated queen.
She is the oldest sister of Obara Sand daughter of whore from Oldtown, Nymeria Sand daughter of daughter by a Volantene noblewoman, Tyene Sand daughter of Septa, Sarella Sand daughter of a trader from the Summer Isles her half-sister from different women that her fathered travels, and brings home. Her mother Ellaria Sand his long-lasting paramour had given birth to more daughters such as Elia Sand, Obella Sand, Dorea Sand, and Loreza Sand.
Hence people are calling her and her sisters, "The Sand Snakes."
They all are very different girls, but they are like any Dornish woman. They pick up tools they can take and fight.
Ellaria Sands watches from the balcony as all the children, even the servants' children, are swimming in the water gardens.
Marianea is sunbathing as she seems to enjoy feeling Dorne's sun.
Obara is soaking her legs in the water and sitting there. While Princess Arianne Martell, Nymeria Sand, and Tyene Sand are swimming and floating around. Sarella Sand couldn't be here as she was studying at the citadel with Prince Doran's permission. The littlest Sands such as Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza are playing splashes with the other children. Listening to them squealing and laughing brought Ellaria Sand a smile.
Looking at each and every one of her beloved Prince's children brought warmth to her heart.
She is glad that they are all happy and healthy. Although Dorne has been at peace for years, Ellaria still yearns for justice for Princess Elia Martell and her children.
She might not noticed it, but she could tell Prince Oberyn heart's aches in pain. She knew that speaking their daughter Elia's name still hurt her prince. She thought it would honor the princess to name her daughter after her aunt.
But Marianea had rescued her father's despair by giving her little sister a nickname, Lila. Ellaria saw how it brought a smile to Oberyn's face.
Hence, everyone starts calling Elia, Lila instead.
She started noticing how Marianea was a clever little vixen. She recalled whispering with Oberyn to see if they could legitimize their eldest as they knew she deserved better prospects for her. After all, she has a good head on her shoulders and is firm in making decisions.
Prince Doran is still making his decision on making his eldest niece legitimized.
Ellaria just had to show Prince Doran that her daughter has what it takes to be a Martell in both name and reality.
Another week later,
Marianea Sand ran as she was fixing up her hair as her sisters did similarly wearing outfits, tying their sandals, and some applying blushes. They were following behind her. They are late for an important day today since their lessons are longer than before.
"Hurry, hurry!" She gestured for them to enter. Marianea waited at the entrance as she counted and checked that all her sisters were accounted for.
In the grand arena where they will be gathered to see good studs to be bought and sold. Prince Doran Martell is celebrating his daughter, Arianne Martell's nameday.
Sounds of horses and raising their money price are shouted.
Marianea ran to where her Ellaria Sand was honored to sit next to Prince Oberyn. The girls followed as they took their seats as well. Little Loreza Sand wanted to be with Marianea as her big sister placed her onto her lap. They watch as two white mares are being shown off and handlers take them to their winning owner.
"Next, we have the finest stud in the Free Cities." The horse handler named, Hippios spoke up, "A Dothraki Horse!" He pulled out a whip as a big, muscled, and willful horse came whining and pulled into the arena. The Dothraki horse has a reddish coat, long waving black manes from neck to tail, black stockings, and white lighting like to its pink muzzle and rest of grey color of the muzzle sides.
Marianea stared at this wild beast. It jumped up and kicked many men. She did not know what made her stare at it, but she couldn't help but wonder why this Dothraki horse seemed frightened.
Sounds of ropes are pulled as the horse tries to fight it off.
Men around the horse as they pulled harder with ropes. They were giving one of Prince's loyal men to try and ride it. One of them happens to be Gerold Dayne. Marianea sneered at this Dayne. Of all the people she hates, it is the Blackstar himself. Gerold is a brave and beautiful man, yet his eyes are filled with anger and cruelty. He feels jealous of his well-known cousin, the Sword of the Morning, the late Ser Arthur Dayne. Darkstar has a longsword in his hands. Instead of summerwine, he would rather sip unsweetened lemonwater.
Her father's words about the drinking thing as Oberyn shows disliking him already.
"Agh!" The Dothraki horse throws him off and hits the ground. People laugh as they see it.
"The best you can do, Blackstar? Back to the phalanx with you, I'll ride him myself." Oberyn pointed in the back as he was mocking him.
Princess Arianne did not seem to appreciate her uncle mocking Gerold.
"No one will ride that beast, my prince." Gerold gestured to that horse which pounded his hooves on the ground in irritation.
"Not with your leg," Marianea mumbled to her little sister, which she giggled.
"He's been beaten far too often." One of the men spoke.
"My noble Prince, he's a high-spirited animal, yes. High-spirited and worthy of Prince Oberyn of House of Martell." Hippios tries flattering the prince.
"For three and a half dragons..." Hippos then bargains with the prince, "I couldn't make a profit on him, but for you..."
"Why would I want such a beast? We have women for that." Prince Oberyn jokingly as people laugh.
"Does your uncle seem so old?" Ellaria questioned Marianea and she looked back at her mother. She knew the years had not been kind to anyone. As Prince Doran still prefers doing nothing. There was no talk about having the Mountain and Ser Lorch to be given to them as a sign of peacemaking. Marianea took hold of her mother's hand to offer comfort, and Ellaria smiled at the gesture.
"Stay down, stay down."
"Hold him!"
Prince Oberyn tried to get close, but the horse roared and stomped his hooves more agitated. Prince knew there was too much risk. Many would try to tame Dothraki horses, but they are more difficult to tame than their Desert horses.
"A broken neck comes free. He's too nervous for battle. Sell him for meat." Prince Oberyn waved off to Hippios as he ordered it.
Marianea heard her father's order. She did not know what came to her, but she knew she couldn't allow this beautiful creature to be killed.
She placed Loreza onto her seat and stood up. She yelled out, "Buy him for me, Father. I'll ride him." The people were quiet as they stared at this scene. Prince Oberyn is curious. This is the first time his daughter asked him to buy her something.
"And if you don't?"
Marianea announced it. "I'll pay for him myself." Ellaria gasped and looked at her daughter. Her sisters were curious too. They wondered if this was a good idea.
"With what, your singing voice?"
"I'll pay you!" Marianea bargained again this time firmer.
Oberyn spoke and reasoned with her. "I tell you, that horse can't be ridden, little one. His mind is broken."
Marianea spoke with confidence. "He can be ridden. By me."
"If you can rule that horse, I'll make him yours..." Prince Oberyn bargains with Hippios, "at half the price." Hippios looked confused and concerned. He probably didn't expect the bastard daughter would want this wild beast.
"That horse will kill her," Prince Doran spoke to his brother. "He'll break the boy in two."
Prince Oberyn sat down as he picked his youngest onto his lap. Ellaria held onto her prayer beads tightly. She is praying to all the gods that no harm comes to her daughter.
"Will he?" Prince Oberyn spoke then added, "Perhaps she'll make a musician out of her yet."
"You don't like your shadow, do you?" Marianea spoke to the horse, "It's like a dark spirit coming up to get you." The horse squealed and huffed.
"Do you see? That's us." Marianea pointed at his shadows and hers. "It's just a trick of Stranger. He's the god of the Death" The horse whined and bounced his head almost agreeing with her. "But I'll show you how to outwit him, you and me together." She touched his face and gently removed his mane away his eyes to calm him down. The horse's eyes loosened his hardness and saw the gentleness showing.
"The girl doesn't have the craft, Oberyn." Prince Doran spoke.
"She could hurt herself." Ellaria agreed with the prince.
"She'll have to figure that out for himself. It's time." Prince Oberyn spoke. He loves his daughters, but he firmly believes that a hard lesson needs to be taught. It was how he had to learn the hard way.
"Good idea."
"Indeed there are times, Oberyn, when I wonder if she is your blood."
"I only worry that…" Ser Daemon mumbled.
"What was that, Ser daemon?"
"Nothing."
"You ride that horse and by all the Gods both Old and New. And by my ancestors of Rhoynar's I say, you can rule the world."
She slowly and gently climbs onto his back. The crowd gasped and leaned forward to see it closer. The horse whined and snorted as he was jumpy a little that scared the crowd a little.
Marianea leaned in and whispered, "Caraxes. That's what I'll call you. Hostile, fierce, and smart." She then straightened up confidence and spoke.
"Caraxes and Marianea. Come now, let's ride together!" Caraxes neighed and rode out of the arena. The crowd stood up and cheered for Marianea to make it accomplished. She smiled as felt the wind as they rode up the sand and hills.
The falcon flying high to the sun let out a cry as it soared into the sky. They rode in great speed as if they understood the bond between them.
"She's got some Warrior Queen Nymeria in her yet." Prince Oberyn smiled along with Ellaria who smiled. The Sand Snakes cheered loudly for their sister.
"Brother, for our dear departed mother's sake, you underestimated her! Haha!" He hugged sideways with Prince Doran who chuckled a bit.
From far distance, Marianea as they looked at the arena. She had shown them she could do it.
"Now, Caraxes, show them." She commanded it.
"Neigh!" Caraxes almost stands on two legs and then pushes himself to start running faster than before. The shadow followed through the sands of Dorne. The wind danced into their hair as they could fly through the land without holding anything back.
They stopped within the arena as the audience cheered louder than before. They cheered and showed big smiles as she allowed Caraxes to dance around as if he was happy being cheered instead of fear.
Prince Oberyn quickly ran down and tearfully kissed her daughter on her forehead. He is so proud of her! She has the blood of the Martell princess.
"Here!" He took her arm and raised it. "With mind strong with iron in her blood. With such strength, she has proven to us that Dorne shall withstand all her enemies!"
The crowd stood up and cheered.
Prince Doran Martell announced as he looked upon his niece. "My boy, if you seek glory in battle and enter the halls of our ancestor then I shall be bestowed upon your name as Martell! Take pride, for you are no longer a bastard, but the first eldest daughter of Prince Oberyn and Ellaria Sand. You will be known as Marianea Martell, Princess of Dorne! My girl, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambitions. For I am afraid Dorne is too small for you!"
Scatters of roses filled the air as many people had petals being thrown in the air as if all of Dorne sent a blessing to Marianea. She looked around with a big smile. At long last, she can truly call herself a Martell.
She can already see it. Almost like a vision, she dressed in armor and rode Caraxes to battle to gain glory and victory in the name of Dorne that will be delivered by her hand.
What didn't she even see nor notice? She will gain enemies as of today.
Gerold Dayne sneered. He was humiliated by that bastard?! She will rue the day for making a fool out of him. He will be great. He just needed the Star of Morning to claim what was rightfully his.
Princess Arianne Martell looked jealous. Her father never once praised her for anything she did. And she had been trying hard to be the heir. Yet Prince Doran never seemed to say anything, she knew chances that he was thinking of grooming Quentyn and Trystane as heirs. While Arianne will be sent away to be married for the good of his political game. Though looking at Doran, she saw pride. Pride in his eyes that he had never shown her. Arianne will not let her cousin Marianea win.
This will be a chapter where she gains recognition. But that recognition can also welcome unwanted attacks within your circle.
Reviews are welcome.
The name of Hippios (lord of horses) came from the Greek God Poseidon who was the god of the sea, but also a patron of Horses as according to stories he created them.