Returning to Dorne

Dorne

Sunspear

Looking around I noticed the beautiful green grass all around me. It seemed greener than the grass in essos. I was taking a chance. I mean what do you expect to happen when a random intruder appears right behind the current crown prince of Dorne's resting area. I had to admit Doran was a man of peace only such a man would have such a beautiful garden.

I knew of this place from the T.V. Show and the only reason I appeared here instead of somewhere else is because I didn't have a clear picture of Dorne. Only bits and pieces of it had been shown all throughout the show so I had to take a chance appearing in the most protected place in all of Dorne.

It seemed I had appeared unnoticed, something I truly didn't mind, If I was correct as long as I followed this ramp I would be able to find my uncle Doran. It wasn't like he did much moving, usually opting to sit in his wheelchair it wasn't that he couldn't walk he just suffered from a pretty severe case of gout.

Walking up the ramp I looked throughout the garden like area, it seemed more like a park, with benches and fountains placed in key places. The sound of children running around could be heard by anyone who listened.

Continuing forward I soon saw him, Doran sat looking throughout the area, behind him stood a huge dark-skinned man. His height was comparable to Drago's but I was sure he lacked his athleticism and precision. They chattered unaware of my presence, clearing my throat, I drew attention to myself.

The dark-skinned man stepped forward spear in hand, he didn't attack simply waiting for his ruler's orders. I wasn't worried had he actually decided to attack I was sure I could take his life in a second, I may not have a sword but the knife sheathed behind my back would do the trick.

"Who are you and how did you get in here, this is one of the most well-defended places in Dorne?" Doran seemed calm in his eyes. I could see how calculating he was, just because you appeared peaceful didn't mean you actually were. I could tell he had it in him to be ruthless to his enemies.

"I'm surprised you don't recognize me, Oberyn figured it out within seconds," I smiled seeing as Doran took a long look at my face it didn't seem to matter how long he looked he couldn't figure it out.

"You know my brother? That makes you a guest within Dorne, I still find it rude you've broken in when things would have gone a lot simpler had you called for an audience with him."

"Areo Please call for my brother," Areo nodded blowing a whistle another guard soon appeared Areo told him to call for Oberyn before taking his place behind Doran again.

There was silence as Doran returned to looking out at the garden, I did the same turning my back just the slightest it wasn't long before Oberyn appeared I could hear the anger in his voice.

"Brother I don't remember meeting such a rude friend."

"Are you sure about that Uncle Oberyn?" Turning around Oberyn froze before a smile appeared on his face he walked over to me pulling me into a bear hug, I wasn't that much shorter than him.

"You've finally returned," He grinned looking at me.

"I'm visiting, Soon my debt to the Dothraki will be paid," Oberyn nodded just the fact that I was here was enough.

"Oberyn forgive me but I seem to be missing something?" Doran said looking at his brother a frown on his face.

"It seems you've done exactly what I said, even keeping the information from Uncle Doran," Oberyn nodded, turning to Doran he smiled.

"Our sister's son has returned, Aegon is finally home."

"You said he was dead," Doran looked at me before looking back at Doran it was news he himself couldn't understand.

"That was my doing, I was told of a spy and to avoid war with King's landing I believed it vital that the world think not only had my mother and sister died but so had I."

Doran nodded understandingly as Oberyn turned back to me, "Come on allow me to lead you to your mother, this news will surely fill her with joy."

"How is she?" I asked as my uncle led the way deeper inside the castle.

"She hasn't changed much. She still spends most of her time staring out her window awaiting the day you will return. With you finally arriving I'm hoping you'll be able to break out of her shell. She hasn't been the sister I grew up with in a very long time."

I nodded not knowing If I felt anything for her, I needed Dorne under my control even If I never decided to become king. The quickest way to do this was through Elia Martell. We walked in silence as he led me up a flight of stairs we stopped in front of a room, Oberyn stopped in front of the door looking back at me.

"I think you should see her alone," I nodded as he turned his head back in the other direction, opening the door the creaking sound made me cringe. Looking inside there she was, this body's original owner's mother. She didn't turn towards the door, ignoring the creek as if she had heard it plenty of times before.

The sun's rays shone down on her face allowing me to admire her beauty, I could see the sadness in her eyes. It seems Oberyn was right even after finding out I was alive she continued to await my return most likely blaming herself for my disappearance.

"Oberyn if you've come to apologize don't," It seemed he hadn't exactly told me everything. What exactly did he need to apologize for?

"I'm not Oberyn," Elia visibly shook as I said those words turning her head in my direction and tears filled her eyes.

"You sound so much like him," She stood from her chair doing her best to stabilize herself reaching me. She placed a hand on my cheek staring into my eyes.

"My little dragon," she smiled.

"It's me mother, I've returned," Smiling I pulled her into a hug, I could feel it inside of me the former Aegon's spirit or whatever you wish to call it was at peace before faded like a light. Breathing in, I allowed Elia's scent to fill my nostrils. She smelled of roses, the faint smell still familiar from my brief walk within the garden.

"Your hair," Elia reached up running a hand through my black hair, a questioning look on her face.

"It's only temporary, I'm not sure if they have it here but I used a black dye to change its color."

She nodded pulling me to one of the red sofas within her room, taking a seat she began to ask me question after question. Answering to the best of my ability I began to tell her of my time with the Dothraki, growing up alongside the current Khal, Drogo. How the Dothraki looked at me as if I was a demon for years even after I dyed my hair. An hour must have passed with just me talking and her listening before I asked a question of my own.

"Do you know Kyra Sand Mother?"

"Oberyn mentioned her becoming your personal guard, I don't know much but I should be able to answer any of your questions about her."

"I need to know I can trust her."

Elia sighed looking at me she stared into my eyes before speaking, "I know that look, it's the same look your father had before he joined that tournament and ran off with Lyanna Stark."

"Mother I'm not in love with Kyra."

"And you think your father was in love with Lyanna? She was simply a means to an end. Similar to how you currently view Kyra, the Targaryen men and their outlook on life in general pains me. Your father left us to fulfill a prophecy ignoring the consequences of his actions. How far will you go?"

I could see the pain in her eyes as she spoke unaware that I viewed her the same way I viewed Kyra. I had bigger things to worry about taking words from the Starks. Winter was in fact coming and I'd rather have an army to stop it when it does. If that meant controlling anyone and everyone I saw as important then I would do so.

"People like Kyra and Lyanna are simple pieces in a bigger game, Kings Landing has been calm for a long time, mother things won't remain as peaceful soon. I need people I can trust, people that would die to follow my orders, to keep you and my sister safe I'll control Kyra hell I'll control Doran If I have to."

Taking in my words I watched as she nodded a sad look on her face.

"Ask your questions."

"Why is she so loyal to uncle Doran, I offered her something that kings would kneel for and she refused wishing to serve Doran instead."

"He saved her life, when her mother died she was alone, she began stealing for food and became a common thief. One day while Doran was strolling through the city he watched her steal from a stand he quickly noticed how agile and precise she was even though she got caught. He ordered his guard to save her and bring her to the castle."

"What happened to her mother?" She had said she died but didn't mention how.

"Poisoned, or so it seems, Kyra couldn't have been older than 6 or 7 when that happened, poor girl I'd hate to picture Rhaenys in such a situation."

"She's a bastard so who's her father?" I had a feeling it wouldn't be a shocking reveal what are the chances you happen to save a random child from the streets. From what I've heard Doran is the calculative type there was no way he had the heart to adopt a random child.

"I'm sure you already know that answer to that, Doran isn't like Oberyn, he doesn't have the same kindness to him. Most likely the reason our father picked him to rule over Oberyn, he took in his bastard daughter but raised her from a distance. He didn't show her the love a father should instead teaching her to be loyal to him and only him. I doubt he even told the girl he was her father."

I nodded thinking about how Kyra would react to such information, I had more questions but none Elia could answer.

"Earlier you thought Oberyn had returned to apologize, what has he done wrong and does it have anything to do with me?"

"I was angry when he returned without you, even more so when he told me you had decided to remain, that he had allowed a child no older than 7 years to decide his future. I got over it knowing you were safe, no the reason I'm angry at Oberyn is because against my orders he allowed Rhaenys to be trained to become a sand snake. She's such a wild girl you would think she was a stark. She's so beautiful you should have seen her when she was younger."

I smiled seeing Elia talk about Rhaenys there was a spark in her eyes as she spoke about my supposed sister. She was only a few years younger than me around the same age as Daenerys and Sansa, If she looked anything like Elia I was sure she would be beautiful.