Secret Meeting In The Water Gardens

Next Day

For the most part Dorne consisted of sandy desserts, if anything I would compare most of it to Ancient Egypt. Compared to the rest of the world it was sorely lacking in coin but it had its own beauty to it. The Conquest of Dorne Written by Daeron Targaryen spoke highly of the military might of the people of Dorne although some believe he exaggerated their strength to make his own victories sound more grand. The library full of books and scrolls made one wonder.

"That book doesn't tell you the complete story," Looking up, Rhaenys stood before me with a smile on her face. She wore a golden robe with the sleeves missing a golden tiara standing atop her beautiful silky white hair.

"I've read every book there is on Targaryen's, even the notes left inside that book are wrong. Daeron died only a year after conquering Dorne. With outside help Dorne was able take back their land. Daeron lost ten thousand men conquering Dorne and according to Maester Yandel he lost another forty thousand trying to hold it."

"How many books have you read already?" I was curious everyone spoke of Rhaenys as a wild child and I couldn't imagine a wild child spending her free time reading.

"Hundreds, do you know how it feels to feel like the last Targaryen alive? I love Dorne but it never really felt like home. Our Ancestor Aegon Targaryen Conquered the 7 kingdoms and began the construction of the Red Keep that would eventually be finished by Maegor. As the so-called last Targaryen I dived deeply into these books hoping to find some sense of belonging." Rhaenys paused taking a look at all the books before turning her attention to me. "I'm glad you've returned." A content smile appeared on her face as she talked about the books.

I couldn't understand how she felt I was aware of the location of almost every Targaryen currently alive and I had never searched for a place I would belong. I would never find such a place, not here.

"Is there a reason you've come to find me?" I asked, causing Rhaenys to nod.

"Will you join me on a walk through the Water Gardens?"

I had come to learn that the place I had first met Doran at was in fact the water gardens, a place private to the house of Martell.

"Sure," Rhaenys seemed to glow at my answer, stepping forward as she wrapped her arm around my own.

The smell of greenery filled my nostrils as we walked the Water Gardens with no destination in mind. Rhaenys' eyes seemed to sparkle as she talked about our ancestors and their valor. She had read about Targaryen's for most of her life hoping that I would be like one of them. Sadly I had no actual interest in the Iron Throne. My main focus was surviving the long night. If I was forced to become king to do so I'd cross that bridge when the time came.

Rhaenys pulled me forward and I now understood why Doran chose to sit where he sat looking over the water gardens. The Garden was beautiful but he had a perfect vantage point allowing him to see most of what was happening within the garden. Rhaenys must have known the place like the back of her hand as she pointed out the flowers we would pass.

Soon we stopped. Rhaenys pulled me to the side of a bush and a brown bench sat on the other side of it completely out of sight of Doran Martell. Someone sat upon that bench, Arianne wore a white dress with gold stitchings..

"Thank you dear cousin for leading your brother here," Rhaenys nodded avoiding eye contact with me. I was curious why she needed to lead me here under the guise of a walk through the Gardens.

"Sorry brother I really did enjoy the walk, but-."

"There are bigger things at play," Arianne finished her sentence causing me to nod, I had my own questions that needed to be asked.

"Rhaenys stand guard and tell me immediately if you see anyone coming our way." Rhaenys nodded walking back to the side of the bush peering around it on lookout duty.

Looking to Arianne I took a seat beside her as she smiled, it wasn't a seductive smile no it was simply a smile of content. Reaching inside the bush she removed a scroll, one wrapped in a red string.

"This was handwritten by my father," She passed me the letter patiently waiting as I read it. Doran had written this to her younger brother Quentyn, He wished for Quentyn to become the ruler of Dorne passing over Arianne. I wondered how she had acquired such a letter but it wasn't of importance.

"What do you want from me?"

"You're planning something I don't know what it is, but I believe one day you'll end up as King of the 7 kingdoms and my father wishes for me to marry you so that I will be queen. I don't want that, it's nothing against you but I've dreamed of being ruler of Dorne since I could dream. Aunt Elia has suffered so much if things had gone differently she would be queen and I can't take that chance. The chance that things will go wrong, I would much rather stay here living out my dreams as Ruler of Dorne and you're the only one that can help me."

"Fine." I stated simply.

"Is that all no questions you haven't even asked for anything in return?" I smiled hearing her.

"Tell me about the mother of Kyra Sand."

"She's dead, poisoned." Arianne stated.

"I'm aware, but I'm also aware that the mother of your father's bastard daughter shouldn't be so easy to poison." I could see in her eyes she knew what I was insinuating.

"My father is a calculative man, his honor is nowhere as good as someone like Ned Stark but some believe it is. As Ruler of Dorne having a bastard child is okay but not for my father. Everything has to be in his control even his bastard child so he had her mother poisoned. He rescued Kyra but never told her he was her father. I pity my bastard sister, made a weapon to protect the crown by her own father." Arianne sighed as she finished speaking.

I wasn't sure if Arianne actually pitied her or if she was mincing her words in front of me. I wasn't much better then Doran. The only difference between myself and him was that I wouldn't hide my manipulation from Kyra. She would be a weapon for me just as she would have been for Doran.

"I'll help you become the ruler of Dorne." Arianne didn't realize it but she needed me a lot more then I would ever need her. "In the future If I need her Dorne will be at my beck and call. We're family so I won't ask for much we'll formally negotiate at a later date. As I told your father I currently don't wish to be king and your father won't be giving up his chair for a couple more years."

"Deal. My father currently thinks you've fallen for me, he might even arrange a marriage between us soon. It's up to you whether we keep up this ploy or not."

I nodded thinking about it, allowing Doran to think I'm under his control will make things a lot easier for me in the future. The only problem with that is I can't be sure what will happen in the upcoming years. The red wedding happened because Robb Stark decided to renege on his marriage to one of the frays, who knows what Doran would do if I happened to get married to someone else in the future. Running my hand through my hair I made up my mind, I wouldn't agree to the engagement. There was no point I wouldn't be in Dorne for much longer anyways and Arianne's vision was too short sighted. I couldn't blame her though she had a dream and that dream happened to be the only thing that mattered to her.

"If he brings up the Engagement I'll refuse it, but I'll do it in a way that he thinks there may still be a chance for us to get engaged. Rhaenys and I have been back here long enough, who knows what your father is thinking? I'm sure you have your ways to disappear."

Arianne smirked, that was enough for me, turning around I held out my arm allowing Rhaenys to wrap her arms around mine. As we continued walking through the garden this time heading back the way we came Rhaenys looked up at me.

"You're not angry are you, I didn't want to lie to you but Arianne said it was the only way."

"I'm not angry Rhaenys you did well, although next it might be best to just tell me the truth I'm not exactly a fan of surprises. Besides had Arianne not seeked me out I would have done so eventually."