Chapter 25: You'll Thank Us One Day
Rhaenys Martell
Uncle Doran can't know about this I realize as soon as we're lead inside the wooden keep. The cocky face of Uncle Oberyn doesn't bring me the usual joy and I back away from his attempt to hug me.
"Is that anyway to greet me after saving you?" He rolls his eyes at the other man in the room, a very stern faced knight in armor beginning to show signs of rust.
"What happened to Arianne!" Spitting each word with indignation, I watch carefully for his reaction.
"Arianne fell overboard in he storm, it was a tragic accident." The grief doesn't sound faked but how can I be sure? "Didn't Ser Arthur explain this to you?" He growls at my escort who just accepts the scolding with no argument. "Or is this another thing he failed at?
"I don't believe you." If she really did fall overboard, we didn't even try looking for her.
Ellaria Sand blurts out when the three men seem content to exchange intense looks. "If you don't want her fighting you every step of the way, maybe you should just tell her about her role."
"Right as always my love," My least favorite uncle takes his paramour's hand and presses a kiss to he back of it. What I once thought of as sweet and romantic, now only fills me with anger. It took years to arrange, but I've finally managed to undo Viserys' insult to you."
"How can you just pretend everything is fine? Arianne is gone and I have no idea where Hightower took the boys!" He lets me rant until I'm panting for breath and Ellaria is holding back giggles with a hand. If Uncle Doran doesn't kill you for this… Mother will."
"Doran let our brother die and was going to just give you both away!" Oberyn fires back with his own pent up rage. "Elia was fine watching Rhaella be handed off the Tully and is fine watching you be given to the Imp?" His voice is filled with passion as he vibrates in place. "Well I am not okay watching my family be disgraced!"
Once my Uncles words become a string of curses, Ellaria hushes him with a stern look. "We did something about it. You'll appreciate it one day."
"How is this any less confusing for the Princess?" The grouchy knight with short sandy blonde hair barks out and rolls his eyes at the fiery temper. "It is finally time for your brother to reclaim the throne, but for that we needed allies."
Grimacing at the man's gruff attitude, Ellaria tries to settle my rising temper. "Aegon will be betrothed once our final ally proves themselves, but your hand provides him an army now. Daemon will be a far more pleasing match and he comes with his own gold."
I don't want to marry Tyrion because he has gold or Viserys said I had to. He makes me feel special with every letter sent and that is why I'm going to marry him. Even Viserys didn't ask what I wanted… none of you are.
"It's such a shame three of our brothers have betrayed the true King, but Whent will ensure we recover the last of the hostages." Arthur adds with his own attempt to calm me. "You can finally see your grandmother again and meet your aunt Danaerys."
"But what about Viserys?" You haven't said anything about rescuing him.
"He and the Imp have already been dealt with." With finality Oberyn answers with stomach churning pride on his face.
…
Arianne Martell
With nothing to do but talk and try to fish, it's near impossible to keep the dread at bay. Eleven people have already begun showing symptoms of Grayscale and have been moved to a second ship for the confirmed cases.
The clothes given to me by Lady Ashara are more restrictive than I prefer, but at least Viserys can hold a conversation when facing me now. For someone called the Dirty Dragon, he really doesn't live up to the reputation.
A creak of the wood behind me has me turn to find him approaching with an embarrassed grin on his face. "I had Sandor get a few of my things from the castle before I sent him to Riverrun…" He reveals a bundle of thin sticks and folded cloth of high quality indigo.
"Renly decided to give you his kite since we haven't used them in years." Viserys looks exactly like Quentyn does when I catch him playing with his stone soldiers. "Do you know how to fly one?" I do but Elia taught me well.
Men like to think themselves in control and an easy way to give them that illusion, is to let them 'teach' you something they believe themselves gifted at. "No, but I've always wanted to try. Could you show me how?"
"Of course I can." His ecstatic smile fills me with bubbles of warmth. "You really don't think it's silly?" I allow him to guide my hands in the assembly of Renly's black and yellow one with a reassuring smile.
The look of vulnerability only flickers in his eyes for a moment but that's all I need to stop thinking so much. I don't think he's ever even been smiled at by a girl before, I don't need all the fancy tactics.
"I was worried you took after your father, a little silliness is a welcome surprise." We both blush, but he refuses to look up and mine is gone long before he recovers.
"I can't even remember what he looked like," He admits softly and takes a seat beside me with only a slight bit of hesitation this time. "Anytime I try… all I can think of are his claws and the screaming. I don't want to be anything like him, but how I got answers is exactly what he would have done."
"It was nicer than what my Father would have done." He blinks at my growled words and I take the chance to make my support for him clear. "And I keep hearing you getting compared to Prince Stannis, so I don't think anyone believes it was anything but necessary." And if they do, they better not say it around me.
A smile slowly grows on his face and his cheeks flare red again. "Thanks… I really needed to hear that."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, you'll always be Rhaenys' hero and I can finally see why she ignored every lie Oberyn tried to fill her head with."
"I don't know how courting is done in the Stormlands,"
"Neither do I," He chuckles in response and I join him with no hesitation. I even manage to forget the reason I'm trapped on a boat for most of an hour, just enjoying my time with a very awkward Viserys.
"Well in Dorne we don't waste time wondering, we make our intent clear to avoid any… misunderstandings." He pulls his arm away in misguided concern that brings yet another smile to my lips. "I'm interested in you romantically."
He freezes in place aside from his eyes nearly bursting from his skull. "You do?" The corners of his mouth turn up as the realization sinks in. "That's really…" His hands start to flail as if that will somehow pluck the perfect word from the wind. "Incredible."
Of course when I lean closer we get interrupted by an awkward cough. The teasing grin on Marya Seaworth's face lets me breathe out in relief.
"Sorry for interrupting, but supper's ready so you two better hurry inside." She clicks her tongue in annoyance. "My boys have better manners than the whole lot of them. Barristan won't be able to keep your bowls safe for much longer."
"Thanks Ma...rya," Viserys stumbles over his words with an awkward expression that shifts to concern. "Uh, you have something on your cheek." As soon as his finger points I see the speck of grey on Marya's cheek with dread.
She sighs and pulls up her sleeve with a larger patch of infected skin. "Barristan saw it too. I was just hoping you wouldn't notice until I was on the other ship."
Maester Cressen said no one can return to land until we go two weeks with no new cases appearing, but so far we haven't even been able to go two whole days without one. I don't think any of us are getting off this boat alive.
The dark thought is hard to shake but I force it out of my head with a determined snarl. Martells do not give up.
"Just make sure Dale stays clear of the wrong girls once I'm gone." She smiles sadly with a trail of tears streaking down her cheek. "And remind Matthos to eat his greens, you know how much he hates them."
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Marya takes a steadying breath. "It was really nice meeting you Arianne, but I really hope we don't see each other again. Now go and send Barristan out please… before I lose my nerve and need to be carried."
