Chapter 13: The Return (2)

Leaning his head back against the warm soft stone in the bath, Nox let out a content sigh as he felt the warm scented water begin to relax the muscles in his back and legs. Outside of jumping into the sea on occasion, it'd been months, hell since they left Winterfell, that he'd had a full bath. He wasn't entirely sure if it was Arianne, Oberyn or Doran who set them up with private baths in the Tower of the Sun for their visiting noble guests, but he was thankful. The baths were a gift from the Force. As were the women who took their time to massage each of them with scented oils. Though their backs, legs and necks were not the only things the woman were sent to take care of. And judging by the sounds coming from some of the private rooms and the beet-red face of Jon after he all but ran from his private room, many were taking advantage of the women's skills.

But despite the pampering and relaxation, Nox couldn't help but feel more than a slight twinge of annoyance creep into his being. Not from the prospect of having to stay for a feast tonight. No, he had expected that they would have to stay one night in the company of the Dornish ruling family after returning with their wayward Prince. But rather his annoyance stemmed from the conversation he'd had with Asha and Wendel Manderly just prior to entering the baths. Apparently, neither the Sea Wolf nor Asha's yet unnamed galleon had managed to escape their little skirmish completely unharmed. And because they were docked, both decided that now would be the most opportune moment to see to their repairs before starting their next leg north. Unfortunately, the damage to both ships, while not extensive nor enough to make either unseaworthy, was worrying. And at best would take a few days to repair fully. So, with nothing better to do, the crew dispersed into the city while those of more noble birth took guest rooms in the Tower of the Sun. The only two who decided to stay on the ship were Gerion Lannister and Talisa Maegyr. The latter because she wanted to work on finalizing her notes for their greyscale cure. And the former because he was a Lannister, and despite as much good will as he might've earned with Prince Oberyn he didn't want to test the hospitality of the Martells by forcing them to welcome a Lannister, and the brother of Tywin Lannister no less, into their home.

Ever since they'd left Valyria, he'd been receiving, well, not visions but feelings. Sensations. Sensations that were emanating from the North. Something was happening in the North. Something important. Something that he needed to be there for. Yet here he was. Stuck in Dorne for several days while he waited for their ships to be fully repaired. And while he sat on his ass, that strange sensation only grew in annoyance. What was worse, he couldn't see what was causing the strange disturbances. In fact, his sight had been quite clouded by something ever since they'd passed by the Stepstones. He'd thought that after taking out the dark side entity that'd made its home in Valyria that he would gain some better clairvoyance in his visions, particularly the one that led him to make his home in the North. But instead, the exact opposite had happened. His visions were even more clouded now than they were before. It was almost as if something or someone was on purposefully blocking his sight. Though the who, where, what, and how currently escaped him.

"You know, sorcerer, if I didn't know for a fact you got a woman waiting for you back in the North, I would swear that you prefer the company of a man in your bed rather than women."

Rolling his head to the side, he turned in the direction he knew where Small Jon Umber was currently relaxing in a stone bath of his own. "Oh, and why do you say that?"

The Small Jon snorted, "what are we supposed to think sorcerer huh? Bravos, Volantis and now here in Dorne. All these exotic cunts to sample and yet you keep it in your pants. Think you're the only man on the ship who hasn't gone for a taste. Except for young Jon here, eh, boy? Unless you decided to sneak off and sample some foreign cunt while none of us were looking, eh?"

Jon went redder than before and tried to disappear beneath the edge of the tube he was in. "Come off it, 'Small' Jon," Nox groaned. He could understand being excited for sex. But honestly, between the Small Jon and Theon, he wasn't sure just who had the more one-tract mind when it came to the subject. "Snow here hasn't even hit three-and-ten yet. And, as for myself, I am content with Nyra waiting for me back in the North. And I told her I wouldn't lay with another woman till I returned to her, and I am a man of my word."

"Hahaha! She's got ya by the balls, eh, sorcerer?" Small Jon gaffed, splashing water out of the tube as he made to pinch the rear of the woman rubbing his shoulders, and getting a sultry chuckling in response. "Come now, we're in Dorne, sorcerer! Dorne! And these girls know a good find when they see one! Why not take advantage of our hosts' hospitality? Unless you're more than a little…disappointing below the belt, eh? Bet that's it. Gotta compensate with your magic, huh?"

Shaking his head, Nox rose from the tub he was in to reveal that he had gone without a towel when he stepped in. Life as a slave and as a Sith had removed most reservations of modesty from him. And add to the fact that he couldn't physically see added to the fact that he didn't care who saw his body. "F-F-Fucking hells, sorcerer!" Umber stuttered as the woman who was massaging his shoulders ceased her menstruations as Nox got out of his bath and reached for a nearby towel. "Was your father part horse or something?! For gods' sake, leave something for the rest of us to compete against you with!"

"Now why would I do that?" Nox asked as he tied the towel around his waist as he rolled his neck and headed towards the exit of the bath. "Just because you can't 'measure up', doesn't mean I should limit myself in any manner."

Entering the separate room for changing, Nox found that all their clothes were gone and had been replaced with fine silken clothes of varying colors. For Nox, he found a pair of loose-fitting pants, a black silk shirt with gold trim and a light long overcoat that would reach the floor. 'Either Ellaria was taking careful note of our clothes sizes during the voyage, or Sunspear has some very talented seamstresses in their employ,' he thought as he chucked the towel aside so he could dress in the clothes laid out for him.

Just as he was finishing up the lacing on his pants, he was joined in the room by his Apprentice, who had yet to get the heat in his face under control. "Um, Master Nox, where are our clothes?"

"More than likely being laundered," he answered, pulling on the shirt. It was a remarkably good fit. "Or destroyed. Seeing as how long we've been wearing them and what we've been through, I would put my money on the latter."

"Oh," Jon replied ineloquently as he awkwardly went over to where his new clothes were located and began going through them. "Umm, how did they know they would fit?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Nox shrugged, not really caring just how they got the new clothes but thankful for them nonetheless. He had been more than slightly tempted to simply burn the ones he had been wearing. "We need to speak of the feast tonight, Jon. And what is expected of you."

Jon paused with his hand halfway towards his new clothes. "I've been to a feast before, Master."

"In the North, yes. Here in Dorne, no, you haven't. And outside of the pure cultural differences between the North and Dorne, there is also the fact that you will more than likely be seated near, if not at, the high table with myself and the Martells."

Now he had Jon's full attention. His eyes going wide as his nerves raced about the prospect. "I – me…sitting near the high table? But – But I'm just as basta-"

"What have I told you time and time again about that title, Apprentice?" Nox asked, leaning forward and fixing his full presence on his Apprentice, making the young man shiver slightly as the dark side washed out of Nox and over him. "That title only means something if you allow it to mean something. Stop using it as a crutch or I can guarantee you that next time you use it in my presence as such, you will need a crutch for the next several months. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Master," Jon nodded shakily.

"Good." Nox nodded, pulling his aura back into himself enough so that Jon could breathe properly. "You are an Apprentice to a Sith now, Jon. It's high time you start acting like one. Now, thanks to your little display in the yard in humiliating Ser Dayne as well as defending the honor of Princess Arianne, you have garnered quite a bit of favor within Prince Doran's court. But at the same time, you have more than likely made a few enemies as well. You must be on guard tonight. Those who are seeking your favor will be obvious. The women will want to bed you or stake a claim on you. And the men will either want you for their daughters or will be looking to poach you away from your family. And the enemies you made will be looking to belittle you and make you make an ass of yourself to lower your standing. Understand?"

Jon's flush, which had started to dissipate after being under Nox's aura, flared back to life. "Um, I – I think…I mean, yes. But why would the women want…well…me. And – And would it be so bad if—?"

"Think with your head, Jon, not your cock," Nox sighed, throwing the overcoat around his shoulders. "You need to get over this aversion you have to the fairer sex and sex in general. And I suggest you do so quickly before I take on that aspect of your training as well by locking you in a brothel and forcing you to watch the whores ply their trade until you can talk to or about beautiful women or men and think of sex without stammering like an idiot."

Stumbling as he attempted to put on his pants, Jon started stammering once more. "But – But that—! I – I don't…I know where to pu – I mean, I know how! Lord Stark talked to Robb and I about…duties and – and expectations and—"

"And knowing about sex is a lot different than knowing about sex, Jon," Nox sighed. "Finish dressing already and take a moment to compose yourself. The feast begins soon. And I will not have my first Apprentice in this land make a fool of me tonight."

Staring down at the glass of watered down Dornish red wine before him, Jon did his best to keep himself focused as all around him the feast in the Tower of the Sun went on well past the falling of the sun. His Master had been correct in the statements that he'd made to Jon after the baths. He had indeed been seated near the high table, just below the dais where the Martell family and Lord Nox were seated. He had also been right in that the feast was far, far different than anything he had ever experienced in the North. It wasn't just the fact that they were in Dorne and the Dornish people were vastly different than the Northern people. Nor was it the fact that he was freely given wine, watered downed wine to be sure, and he'd never even been offered that in the North. No, the one thing that truly set this feast apart from the others was the fact that Jon, again just like Lord Nox had predicted, was being constantly approached by Lords and Ladies from across Dorne! And they were talking to him! Not just to curry favor with his Lord Father or with Lord Nox or with his siblings. But simply because they were interested in him! Jon Snow!

So far, he'd felt that he'd done a decent job in talking with the different Lords and Ladies, but it certainly wasn't easy. The Lords he could handle, as they mostly seemed interested in his skills with sword or his mind for the battlefield or his venture into Valyria. Those questions he could handle. But what he couldn't handle and almost made him want to run from the hall and find a corner to hide in were the Ladies. Many of them were, well, quite forward. Hells, one Lady who could've easily been older than Lady Stark had pointblank asked him if his cock was working properly yet and if he would be willing to give her a son from his loins! And she asked him this while holding onto the arm of her husband!

Then there were the more subtle offers he'd constantly received throughout the night from various Ladies and their daughters to either spend the night with them before he had to leave or to offer him a permanent place in their household as their paramour for the older Ladies or future husbands for the younger. Mercifully, after fending off the tenth or eleventh subtle hint at bedding, Asha and Dacey had taken it upon themselves to seat themselves at the two vacant seats on either side of him that'd been left empty when Small Jon and Eddard Karstark had both disappeared after being offered a dance.

Though sitting with the two had presented a whole new set of problems to Jon. Problems stemming from the fact that both women were wearing dark, form-fitting dresses. Though Asha seemed to have slit hers open down the front to expose the breeches she wore underneath. For as long as he'd known Asha, she'd always worn what Lady Stark would call 'men's clothes'. For over the past few months he'd known Dacey, he'd only ever seen her in leather or light cloth. To see both in dresses… Well, it was something that he never thought he'd see. But what was even more startling was that both seemed, well, pretty. No, beautiful. Not that they weren't before! But it seemed that by wearing dresses, their beauty was just…accentuated. So, he was having trouble keeping his eyes in…appropriate places when he looked at the two.

But the problems he was facing with the various Ladies of Dorne, Asha and Dacey paled in comparison with the real problem he was having during the feast. A problem that was sitting up at the high table with her father, Prince Doran, as well as Lord Nox. Princess Arianne Martell.

As was proper, the ruling family as well as their esteemed guest Lord Nox were the last to enter the banquet hall after all the others were seated. And when the Princess entered on the arm of Lord Nox, Jon was sure that his heart skipped a beat. When he'd first met the Princess earlier that day, he'd already thought she was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. But seeing her in a loose-fitting orange and red dress of her House colors that hugged her body in all the right places with golden ringlets in her hair… Jon was not one for jealously, at least he tried not to be. But when he saw her enter the hall on his master's arm, well, it wasn't the first time he'd wished death upon his Master. Only it was the first time he'd ever done so outside of one of his exhausting and brutal training sessions.

"If you don't close your mouth soon, Jon, you'll drool right into your food."

Shaking his head, Jon sent a half-glare in the direction of Asha, who wasn't even looking at him as she kept her eyes on the Lords and Ladies dancing in the middle of the hall while sipping on her wine. "I'm not drooling."

"You'd do a better job of convincing us if your tongue wasn't hanging out of your mouth like a dog ready to hump her leg," Dacey chuckled, making Jon growl as he found himself on the defense from the women on either side of himself.

Focusing on the food in front of him, a colorful assortment that he never would've thought possible, Jon tried his best to get himself under control once more. "We're just pulling your leg, Jon," Asha chuckled, tapping his shoulder with her knuckles. "You've done a good job so far tonight, thinking with your head instead of your cock. Just make sure you keep on doing that. Especially with that Princess staring at you like you're a rare piece of meat."

Gulping, Jon risked a glance towards the high table, just in time to watch Arianne slowly put a piece of food into her mouth. A mundane move, but from her… Gods… That just wasn't even fair! "She—She doesn't look at me like that."

Shaking her head, Asha drained her wine and refilled it. "Jon, every woman in this room, married or not, is looking at you like that right now because of that little display you did in the training yard. You just need to be careful, because I doubt many – if any – care about you as a person. They only care about securing your power and your connections for themselves."

"She – The Princess isn't like that!" Jon hissed, though where his anger was coming from confused even him at the time.

Setting her glass down, Asha fixed him with a look that chilled him to his bones. "Jon, I say this to you now because you're as much my little brother as Theon. But don't think for a moment that just because she has a pretty face and was nice to you that she doesn't want to use you. She's a Princess. An unmarried Princess that hasn't been officially declared as her father's heir. Which means she needs allies and power. And she will do whatever she needs to do to get that power. And you Jon, you are a prime target for one like her. Of course, I've known her for about as long as you have, so I could be wrong. But still. You need to be careful. If something sounds too good to be true, it quite often is."

Mulling her words over in his head, Jon risked another look towards Princess Arianne. 'She…She isn't like that…is she? She was so nice earlier and… But then again, I am a bastard. What…What use am I to her? A Princess? I'm young, not yet a man. Not like the other men here. All I have is the Force… Is that…? Is that the only reason she is interested in me?' With those thoughts running through his mind, Jon suddenly lost interest in the feast going on around him and the food before him as he sat emotionlessly thinking over everything that had happened over the past day and wondering if anything that'd happened during his brief exchange with the Princess was genuine or not.

Sipping on her wine, a fine vintage of Dornish Red, Arianne watched the dancing taking place before her in the great hall of the Tower of the Sun. Normally, she would be in the midst of the dancing, enjoying herself and working on making the connections that would grant her a smooth transition into her father's seat in the future. But that was not her purpose for this feast. No, this was her opportunity to make a different sort of connection. One that could firmly secure her future. The only problem was, the one that she had her sight set on was seated a fair distance from her and had been almost pointedly ignoring her and the festivities going on around him ever since the Greyjoy woman talked to him. And if that wasn't bad enough, the Mormont woman was sitting right next to him and seemed to be the only one he was willing to talk to.

'It appears that I am going to have to be the one to make the first move,' she thought with a frown as she noticed Jon look towards her, blush, and quickly turn away again. 'The Mormont girl is hovering over him like a protective mother hen. But, perhaps, this will be the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with a single stone.'

Getting to her feet, she took up her glass of wine and made her way over towards the squire's table where her new objective sat. 'Good, he's staring,' she thought with just the slightest bit of glee as she spotted Jon following her intently out of the corner of her eye, 'I did wear this outfit to catch his attention. Glad to see my efforts were not in vain.'

Arriving at the squire's table, all the squires immediately stood up and bowed their heads to her. Giving them all a polite nod in return, she promptly shooed them all away save for the one she needed to speak with. Her uncle's squire Daemon. "I must say, Daemon," she began, setting down her glass and taking a seat. "I'm surprised to see you with your ass still firmly planted on your seat with such a prize just across the room."

Daemon gave her a strained look. He knew exactly what she was speaking off, or rather who she was speaking of. "I don't know what you're talking about Arianne."

She couldn't help but chuckle at his antics. It was quite the sight to see the man she knew intimately squirm so. "Oh, come now, Daemon. I know you better than anyone else. Unless, of course, you've been running off to the red lantern district while I wasn't looking. I know what gets your blood moving. Dark hair. Fair complexion. Strong features. A warrior woman. And eyes that says she would brain the first man who looked at her wrong? I'm surprised your 'sword' has not cut its way out from your breeches just from looking at her."

Daemon scowled at her but didn't correct her. "And what about you, Arianne? I've noticed your future conquest is sitting right over there and he was practically drooling the moment you stepped foot in the hall. Why aren't you staking your claim and ruining all other women for him?"

"Details," Arianne replied dismissively with a wave of her hand. No way she was about to tell him that Jon was pointedly ignoring her as of halfway through the feast. "But now, I see a way that two friends can help each other out. We drag those two out onto the dance floor. And later perhaps you will be able to have some real fun with the one who has stolen what I couldn't with just her appearance."

She hadn't meant to say the last part, but it had slipped out on her before she could stop herself. "Much to my regret, Arianne."

Sighing, she polished off her glass of wine. "We had our fun, Daemon, and it was fun never doubt that. And you will always hold a place in my heart because of it. But you and I both know that there was no spark between us. And if I can help you find what truly strikes your interest, then I will do exactly that. Even if I have to drag you over to her kicking and screaming."

Nodding, Daemon finished off his own glass and rose to his feet while holding out his hand to her. "Well, let us not let our future fun slip from us. We have only the one night for now. And who knows how long it will be before either of us have a chance to meet them once more."

"Indeed." Arianne agreed, taking his hand. "Let us go show those two what true Dornish hospitality is like."

Looping her arm through Daemon's, she let her uncle's squire take the lead as he led the two of them around the dining hall and towards their targets for the night. As they approached, Jon was unsurprisingly the first to notice them. He quickly shot to his feet the moment he realized they were indeed heading for him. "Um, Princess Arianne, it – um…"

"As eloquent as this morning, good to see that you are consistent, Jon," Arianne smiled, finding his stammering amusing and flattering at the same time. "And you would be Lady Dacey Mormont. It is an honor and privilege to meet you. Even in Dorne, we have heard of the strength of the bears of Bear Island and respect you for it."

Lady Mormont seemed caught off guard. Apparently, she hadn't been expecting Arianne to greet her personally, or perhaps to even acknowledge her presence. "Um, thank you, Princess. And, um, may I say that your Uncle, Prince Oberyn greatly undersold your beauty."

'Apparently proper etiquette is not high on priorities in the North. Eh, I suppose it's understandable, all things considered. The North has never cared for the Great Game. They're too preoccupied with keeping their people alive through the winter and waging a never-ending war against the Wildlings. Something I can greatly respect.' Arianne smiled in return. "Thank you, my Lady. And may I introduce my Uncle Oberyn's squire, Daemon Sand."

"Jon here already knows all about me. He used me as a training dummy well enough this morning." Daemon joked, which drew a chuckle from the Mormont woman and a slight blush from Jon. "But you, my lady? May I say it is indeed an honor to make your acquaintance. And if you would do me the honor, I would love to have the chance to speak and dance with you this evening."

Lady Mormont arched a brow at Daemon, but Arianne could detect the slightest of red appearing in the warrior-woman's cheeks. "Do you think it is that easy to woo me, Ser Daemon? Remember, I have had to put up with Prince Oberyn's advances for nearly two months now."

"Just Daemon, my Lady. I am not Lord and I am not yet a knight. And if it truly were that easy to woo you, my lady, then you would already be on the floor in the arms of one of the men of Dorne. Yet here you are. Alone. And a woman as beautiful and powerful as yourself should not be alone. Yet I hope that you would grant this loyal man the honor of your presence tonight. And perhaps tomorrow the two of us can dance a different dance in the yard to see if the She-Bears of Bear Island are truly as strong as any man in the realm?"

The reddening in Dacey's face had progressed to fully encompass both of her cheeks by the time Daemon had finished speaking. 'Smooth, Daemon. Appealing to both her womanly and warrior sides. Very smooth.' "Do you honestly think you can keep up with me, Daemon?" Dacey asked, a slight hitch in her voice.

Gracing her with a smile, Daemon let go of her and held out his hand for Dacey. "I would very much like the opportunity to try, my Lady."

"Keep speaking like that, Daemon, and I will have to find a better use for that tongue of yours," Dacey replied, mildly shocking all three present as she took Daemon's offered hand. "What? You try spending months isolated on a ship with your uncle and his paramour constantly going at it like bears in heat while constantly fending off their advances and see what kind of colorful manner of speech you pick up. Jon…? Good luck."

Daemon then swept Dacey off her feet, almost literally, as he led her off onto the dance floor. And Arianne found herself in the very unusual position of simply being left standing before Jon, who was doing little more than shifting his feet awkwardly before her.

"Well?" Arianne asked, trying to keep her impatience from showing in her tone. 'He's still young yet,' she reminded himself. "It is usually not custom for a woman to ask a man to dance. Nor is it considered polite to simply leave any Lady, let alone a Princess in her own home, wanting."

"Um – oh. I, um, sorry, Prin – Arianne. Um, would you please…? Um, do me the honor of… Will you give me the hon – Um, will you dance with me?" he asked more than slightly awkwardly.

'Points for manning up finally. But he definitely needs some honing of skills outside the yard.' "Why, yes, Apprentice Snow," she wasn't entirely sure of the title. But he wasn't a knight yet, so Apprentice worked as well as any. "I would be delighted to see how well you fare on a different field."

"Apprentice?" Jon mouthed, seeming to test the title on his lips. "I lik – Oh, shite. I mean, don't I – I…I'm mucking this up, aren't I?"

"Just a little," Arianne chuckled. Honestly, his fumbling was cute in a way. "But you can more than make it up to me by showing me a good time tonight. And stop ignoring me."

Jon flinched and, for a moment, she felt a ping of regret. She hadn't meant to let that slip. By the waters of Rhyone, what was wrong with her tonight? It wasn't like her to lose control of her tongue so easily like this. "I apologize, Princes Arianne," Jon replied, his back straightening and offering her his hand. "Would you grant me the honor of your presence on the dance floor this evening, Princess?"

"Better," she smiled, taking his hand. "And yes, you may. I do hope you know how to dance. For I am a…demanding partner, Apprentice Snow."

Letting him lead her out onto the floor, Arianne stopped when she felt they were far enough in and placed her right hand onto his shoulder while holding onto his left with her own. Her amusement increased substantially as she felt Jon's right hand lightly touch her side, before moving up, then down, then off her before settling back down. 'Trying to find a spot to hold me that is socially acceptable. Oh, I do so love the innocent. From what I've heard from my Uncle and Aunt Ellaria, it is often the most innocent ones that have the dirtiest and most adventurous minds. Let's hope they weren't simply blowing smoke.'

The dance started out awkwardly with Jon almost stepping on her feet twice. But after the second time it was almost like something flipped in the young man. His awkwardness disappeared. He met her eyes. He tightened his hold on her and he started leading her through the waltz that the bards were performing. "I must say, Jon, you are quite the dancer. I take it Lady Stark insisted on you having lessons with your siblings?"

She knew the question was a mistake the moment it left her lips as Jon's eyes darkened slightly before quickly returning to normal. "No, if it was up to Lady Stark, I would've been left out in the woods when I was still but a babe."

Arianne suppressed the wince. Obviously, Lady Stark was a sore subject for Jon. Not that she was necessarily surprised. The, well, prudes of the Riverlands and the Reach were notorious for their ill treatment of illegitimate children. Even going as far as doing exactly as Jon described. Leaving them out in the woods when they are still in their nappies. "Lord Nox then?"

This time she got a slight grin out of Jon. "Wrong again, Princess. It was my sister, Arya. She… Well, let's just say that she would probably be right at home with your Uncle's daughters. She'd much rather be out in the yard shooting arrows or fighting than sitting in a tower doing needle work. In fact, she hates just about any activity that is associated with being what Lady Stark considers proper womanly activities. It was actually quite entertaining to watch her face when Master Nox took her daughter on as one of his Acolytes."

"Lord Nox is teaching your sister as well?" She wasn't quite sure just why that little fact surprised her, but it did. She knew from the rumors circulating around the realm that Nox was teaching Stark's children. She just hadn't put it together that he was teaching both his sons and his daughters.

"Aye," Jon nodded, "Master Nox doesn't care for one's birth or their sex, Princess. You are either worth his time or you are not. Hells, the College he started in Winterfell had a woman in the first class as well as a young man who he literally picked up from the streets of Winter Town as he was walking through it one day. It's – It's one of the many things I admire and respect about him."

Arianne racked her brain as Jon twirled her around in a tight circle before reaffirming his hold on her. She needed to leave an impression on Jon. A good impression. And not just because he could help her in the future with her aspirations. She…She wanted Jon to have a good impression of her. Not the Apprentice of Lord Nox or the son of the Warden of the North. No. She wanted to leave a good impression on Jon Snow, the young man before her. "You care for your siblings. I can hear it in your voice, Jon."

"Aye, that I do, Princess," Jon smiled, a far-off look entering his eye. "They – There isn't anything I wouldn't do to make sure they are all safe. I suppose that is one of the reasons I want to succeed so bad under Master Nox. I want to prove myself worthy to protect them. From anything. Robb, Arya, Bran, Rickon…even Sansa. I will not see any harm fall upon them."

'He's very protective of his family. A good trait to have and one that will serve him well in the future once he has children.' Unbidden, an image came to her of little children running around her with dark-grey eyes, black hair, and tan skin. An image she promptly dismissed. 'That future is not set in stone yet. And I cannot let myself be consumed by such fantasies just yet.' "And tell me, Jon, where do you see yourself once your Apprenticeship with Lord Nox has concluded?"

The question seemed to catch Jon off-guard. But he recovered quickly, and a strange glint entered his eyes as he seemed to almost close off. "I – I don't know, honestly. I'll probably stay with my brother and serve where he needs me most, Princess."

'Asking about his future has undone all the work I put into loosening him up,' Arianne could've cursed. 'Damn it. What did that Greyjoy woman put into his head that has him so on guard? I could probably guess, and in truth she wouldn't be half wrong. But still, this is starting to get more than a little annoying.'

Stopping their dance, Arianne made sure she had his full and undivided attention. "It is getting quite stuffy in here. Don't you think, Jon?"

"Um, yes. A little, Princess. But to a Northerner like myself, if it isn't snowing, then it's always stuffy and warm."

"Then you agree with the need for some fresh air," she nodded, holding out her arm. "Will you do me the honor of escorting me outside, Jon. And please, for the love of the gods call me Arianne, not Princess. I do quite enjoy hearing my name leave your lips."

The abrupt change did as she intended and put Jon off balance once more. "Um, I – I guess Prin – Arianne."

"Good," she said, looping her arm through his and pointedly leading him out of the hall and out into the cool night air of Dorne.

Spying Tyene near the entrance to the hall, she gave her cousin a quick look and a subtle motion with the fingers of her offhand. Years ago, Arianne and her cousins had developed a mild code system using their hands. Usually it was to ask for help when they wanted to escape from certain social obligations. But over time it'd changed to encompass much more. This time, the signal she gave her cousin was to make sure that she and Jon would have privacy. Getting the message, Tyene gave her a quick nod before moving through the crowd to collect her sisters to ensure she and Jon would not be disturbed when she decided to sit him down.

Leading him out into the courtyard, Arianne kept a firm hold on Jon's arm until the two of them reached the far end, well away from the great hall and close to the Tower of the Sun. Spotting a stone bench, Arianne purposefully led Jon over and sat the two of them down. 'Well, I got him out here. Now…what the hell do I say?' she thought, wracking her brain for how best to play this situation out. 'He is not like any other man I've met or played this game with. Perhaps he doesn't know how to play? Or maybe he just doesn't play the game. Hm… Well, where subtly fails, let us just try brute force then.'

"Tell me, Jon, what is it that Lady Greyjoy said to you that has put you so on edge around me?"

"I – I don't know what you mean, Pri – Arianne."

Smiling, Arianne patted his knee. "Your attempt is cute, Jon, but don't try and lie to me. You don't have the experience yet to tell a successful lie without a tell. But to be fair, I don't think I need you to tell me what Greyjoy said to you. I can pretty much guess. She warned you to be wary of me, that I was only interested in you because of your power. Am I wrong?"

Jon didn't seem surprised at what she said. "Are you? Is that the only reason you're paying attention to me? I'm only a bastard. There is nothing else special about me that would warrant the attention from a Princess."

A not-so-small part of Arianne wanted to bang her head against the wall. 'Please tell me that he is not this dense. Please, gods, tell me that it is just his age acting up combined with a distinct lack of instruction regarding nobles and the Higher Houses of Westeros.' "Tell me, Jon. Do you truly understand your current situation regarding the realm and your potential future?"

"My situation?" Jon asked curiously as if the idea was completely foreign to him. "I'm just a bastard."

"Just a bastard," Arianne repeated before sighing. 'Apparently, both Lord Nox and Lord Stark have been lax in certain aspects of his education.' "A bastard you may be. But you are the bastard son of Lord Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North and a near-brother to Robert Baratheon. You have been raised alongside your trueborn siblings and have been well educated your entire life. And, as if that wasn't enough, you are the first and only Apprentice to the Northern Sorcerer, Lord Nox. A man that is both respected and feared throughout the land by both the high and lowborn. Your status, Jon, bastard aside, is unique to any in Westeros. Hells, if it hasn't started already, I can guarantee that Lords and Ladies across the realm will be lining up to throw their daughters at you in the hopes of claiming you."

Jon looked extremely uncomfortable with the idea. "And I suppose that you are not like them Pri – Arianne?"

This is where she knew she had to be careful. It wouldn't do to outright lie to him, as that could drive an irreversible wedge between them. But she couldn't be too blunt as that could also drive a wedge that his naive and youthful mind wouldn't allow to be removed. "I will not lie to you, Jon: at first, yes. The fact that you were learning directly from the Sorcerer did intrigue me and drew my attention towards you. But do not think that I am some simple-minded fool that claws or whores myself out for even the slightest chance at getting a taste of power. That is not what I am looking for in the long run. I need someone strong. Someone I can count on to stand by my side. Not someone who will simply use me and toss me aside. So, I started looking into you. Granted, given the distance between Dorne and the North, it was exceedingly difficult to find out much. And had I learned that you were a simple barbarian that abused your gifts, I would've written you off and gone about my life. But, instead, the few scraps of information I managed to find out about you only served to paint you in the best of light. While we have only known each other for a few hours now, I can tell that you are indeed a good man and that you will grow into a great man one day. I do consider myself an excellent judge of character, Jon. You were teaching Daemon in the yard and seemingly enjoying it, a fact that in and of itself is quite amazing. When you fought against him, despite having the clear advantage, you did not humiliate him. When that idiot Ser Dayne stepped in and insulted me and my house, you quickly rose to my defense, even though you knew next to nothing about me. And you are quite dashing, even if you still are not yet old enough to grow little more than a bit of fuzz on your cheeks."

Jon's cheeks were quite red by the time she'd finished. "I – I thank you, P – Arianne. Um, I really don't know what to say to that."

Smiling, she patted his cheek lightly. "Usually, when a woman delivers a compliment like that, Jon, it is considered proper to reply with one in turn."

"Oh, um, well – I think you are a nice person, I mean, a beautiful woman Arianne. And I don't think you're a whor – I didn't mean to say that! No, wait, I did. No, ummm," Jon stammered. "I mean, I already said that you are, umm – and I should probably stop making a fool of myself."

Arianne couldn't help it, watching him stammer was just too, well, cute. "It's alright, Jon. It just means that you must practice, that's all. And it wasn't all that bad of a compliment."

The two fell into an easy silence as they continued to sit beneath the stars of Dorne while off in the distance the bards continued to play and sign to all who would hear their tune. "Um, may I ask you a question, Arianne?"

She couldn't resist. "You just did, Jon. But I suppose I wouldn't be opposed to a second, should you have it."

Jon blinked at her, then chuckled and shook his head. "Gods, you remind me of my sister. Both actually, to a point, I guess. But what I wanted to ask you is, well… You asked me where I saw myself in the future. Well, may I ask you the same, Arianne?"

Tilting her head back, Arianne gazed skywards. "Dorne is much different from the other Kingdoms that make up Westeros, Jon. Not just in our, well, more liberal approach to certain topics. But because of our line of succession. In Dorne, the mantle passes to the eldest born child, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl. By all rights, I am in line to succeed my father once, gods forbid, he passes to the next life or steps down. That is the law. I may not have always been the best of students, but recently I have done everything I can to ensure to my father and our bannerman that Dorne will continue to be in good hands once I take over rulership. But my father… Years ago, I discovered a secret letter he was sending to my brother. My younger brother. In it, he stated categorically that he had every intention for my brother to become the next ruling Prince of Dorne. Not me. And to add insult to injury, the only betrothal requests my father entertains for my hand are with those who are either still in a cradle or those who are so old that I doubt they would be able to 'rise' without parading a troupe of naked whores through their room."

"Oh," Jon muttered, his eyes wide. "I didn't know. I – I'm sorry."

"You couldn't know," Arianne sighed. "And I am working to ensure that whatever my father plans for me, they do not come to fruition."

"But…why?" Jon asked, drawing a sharp look from Arianne, prompting the boy to stammer to make a decent follow up. "I – I mean, I can understand you being the eldest and all. I mean, I can't imagine what Robb would say should Lord Stark declare that Bran was to become the next Warden of the North. I – I don't mean to sound, well, stupid or mean, I guess. But why do you want to rule Dorne?"

Huffing, Arianne shifted herself on the cool stone bench. "Dorne is mine, by right and blood. It is my home, Jon. But more than that, I…I want to make things better. My father has been a good ruler for Dorne, but there are a lot of grumblings. Especially after he failed to receive any form of reparations after the murder of my Aunt and baby cousins at the end of the Rebellion. But since then Dorne has…stagnated. Then I see the way the North has blossomed the last few years. Your father and Lord Nox have taken the North from a land that many wrote off as an untamed snowy wilderness ruled by barbarians to being perhaps one of the wealthiest and most influential Kingdoms of Westeros. Even if many won't admit that fact. I…I want the same to happen here in Dorne. And I believe that I can do that." 'With my own Sorcerer by my side.'

Jon seemed to almost be staring at her in wonder by the time she'd finished. "I – Whoa. You're passionate about this."

Again, she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "I'm Dornish. Passion pretty much defines everything about us."

"No," Jon said, shaking his head. "I – I can feel your passion, Arianne. You…You truly mean it. You're not just saying stuff to make yourself sound like a good person to me. You really are passionate about wanting to change your land for the better. It's…It's amazing. I haven't felt such passion like that in… Gods, I don't know if I ever have felt such passion before."

She wasn't entirely just what Jon meant with his little speech, but something about her being 'passionate' about her goals seemed to resonate with him. But she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Even if she couldn't understand just what had happened. "As I said, passion is what makes the Dornish, well, Dornish." Arianne replied lamely, almost smacking herself for the comment.

Jon smiled, a smile that lit up his face and made her heart quicken. "Then, perhaps, I would enjoy more Dornish hospitality."

'Oh, my dear sweet naive boy. You have no idea just what kind of realm you are walking into with that statement,' she thought with a grin as an idea started formulating in her mind of just how…properly show the boy – young man her favor. "Well, I believe the feast is done for the night," she stated since she could no longer hear the music from the bards. "Would you do me the honor of escorting a Princess back to her rooms, young Apprentice?"

"Of course, Princess," Jon nearly shouted, jumping to his feet and hastily holding his hand out for her take. "It would be a sin for a woman of your beauty to wander the halls of her own home alone this night."

"Better," Arianne smiled, taking his hand and rising to her feet. 'So, he can learn. And he's a quick study. Even better.'

Looping her arm through his, she steered him towards the hall that would take her towards her room. As they walked, she caught a quick glance of her cousin Nymeria hiding in the shadows of one of the columns. Motioning with the hand that was not holding onto Jon, she quietly dismissed her cousins for the night. 'Their aid will no longer be needed tonight.'

"So, are your cousins going to follow us back to your room? Or – No, you've dismissed them for the night it seems."

Arianne nearly tripped. "W – What?"

"Now who is the one stammering, Arianne?" Jon asked, shooting her a cocky grin. "I suppose it's reassuring to know that your cousins are looking out for you. And I'm honored to know that you feel safe enough in my presence to dismiss your hidden guards."

'Oh ho, he wants to play, huh? Well, Jon, once again you have no idea of the world you have just entered. Though, I am curious as to how he knew about my cousins. Tyene and Nymeria are especially good at making sure that no one will notice them unless they want them too.' "And tell me, Jon, how did you notice my cousins were shadowing us? Tyene most especially will be most upset to know that she has been found out."

"Your cousins are good, Arianne. Very good. But… Well, let's just say that Lord Nox and I can cheat a bit, as he likes to say."

'Oh, getting a little too big for your breeches, Jon. I'm going to have to take you down a peg or two before you leave me for the night. My honor as a player of the game all but demands it now.' As they walked, she carefully pieced together how she would get the 'last word in', as it were. Granted, she'd been planning on this move since she invited the Northerners to feast with them after watching Jon's fantastic display in the yard, but she hadn't thought that she'd have to go through with it till now.

Arriving at the door to her room, she turned so her back was facing the door and she was facing Jon. "Well, Jon, it is a shame that you and the Northerners will be leaving come morning. Perhaps the two of us can break our fast together in the morning? I have come to quite enjoy your company this evening."

"I would be honored, Arianne," Jon replied. "But I don't know if we will be leaving right away tomorrow. Before we came here, Ser Manderly informed Lord Nox that the Sea Wolf sustained a small bit of damage to the hull during our encounter with the pirates around the Stepstones. So, we might be here another day or two while the damage is repaired."

She wanted to do a little dance at hearing that the Jon would potentially be staying for another day or so. It would give her just that much more time to figure out just what she needed to do to leave a lasting impression on him. "I see. Well then, I hope to see more of you if you do stay beyond morning, Apprentice Jon."

"I would never dare to disappoint a Princess, Princess Arianne," he replied, raising her hand and placing a chaste kiss across her knuckles. "May you sleep well tonight, Arianne."

"You as well, Jon," she smiled, opening the door to her room and backing into it, but stopping just short of fully closing the door.

Peering out through the crack left in her door, she watched as Jon took a calming breath or two in the hall. And then waited until he turned and started walking away before making her move. "Apprentice Jon," she called out, opening the door and stopping him in his tracks. "It occurs to me that I have been quite remiss. I wagered my favor to the victor between you and Daemon. And I will not be known as one to go back on her word."

Jon made to say something, no doubt some honorable dribble about her not needing to worry about it. But what he was about to say died on his lips as she made her move. With two quick movements, the clasps that'd been holding her dress onto her shoulders were removed and her dress fell to the ground. It was almost comical, and endearing, to see the young man's eyes bulge and his face go scarlet as he saw firsthand that she had forgone any small clothes this evening. And it was also quite thrilling to see that her presence had a very…noticeable effect on another not-so-small part of him either. 'Very, very impressive…especially for one still so young as he.' "Just a taste of what you can expect of my hospitality should you find yourself in Dorne on a more…permanent basis in the future, Jon Snow."

And with that, she quickly closed the door to her room, sealing it and setting the latch in place. 'Oh, that was fun.'

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