Chapter Text
“But this is a women's war, just as much as it is the men's, and the poet will look upon their pain - the pain of the women who have always been relegated to the edges of the story, victims of men, survivors of men, slaves of men - and he will tell it, or he will tell nothing at all. They have waited long enough for their turn.”
― A Thousand Ships
The trip to Dorne was long and tense. She knew the welcome home would be warm but even the tension would be there. Jaime had finally sent her a letter before she had left, telling her what has transpired since she left King's Landing to Storm's End.
As she suspected, Robert Baratheon was still upset over Elia and the children having survived and been taken to Storm's End under the protection of Lyonel. Jon Arryn had quietly pointed out that Elia couldn't give Lyonel any children something that Elia mental snarled over the audacity of the old man. She had a feeling that bastard Pycelle told Arryn and gods knows who else about her being barren but even Elia had a feeling that Pycelle had lied. She wouldn't put it past that bastard doing that. Jaime also mentioned that Robert finally was going to relieve Jaime of his duties as a Kingsguard thus bringing him back into the line of succession of the Lannister family as heir of the Westerlands. She knew having Jaime as heir of the Lannister House would be a boon to her plan. She would write to Baelor Hightower soon, she had received a letter from his older sister Malora who, after telling her some polite words bluntly wrote that if the High Tower burns green once more it would be for you dearest Elia and for little Viserys. You and the children have friends in Oldtown and in House Hightower.
Baelor and Malora were ones that she could trust alongside Jaime, two of the most powerful houses to help her cause. Now, she would have to see about the Velaryons, she needed the most trusted and oldest Valyrian Houses and Elia had a feeling it would not be so difficult.
Leanor Velaryon had been a cousin of Rhaegar, distant but proud young man. Elia knew Lord Velaryon had a son around Rhaenys age, she hated to think of it but out of all the houses she would rather see Rhaenys in Driftmark than anywhere else. Perhaps there could be an arrangement that could be done, after all the last Rhaenys had been Lady of Driftmark but she had died in a war that should not have happened.
She had met Laenor only a few times, the most notable one at her wedding to Rhaegar. He had been jovial, kind but she was mostly reminded of her older brother Doran. That look of calculation, quietly waiting for something. If things had gone differently she would have wanted Laenor as Hand of the King... now things were different. She would need the Crownlands but even she knew it wouldn't be that difficult.
She met with Lord Laenor as they waited for Lord Stark to arrive. He had been spotted an hour away on the Kings Road and Elia knew they needed to speak quickly.
It seemed Laenor was of the same mind. "You are raising the future king. He is kin to me from Rhaenys Targaryen Velaryon to Maekar's daughter Daella Targaryen who married my great grandfather. The other lords have been speaking quietly, it was why I wanted to come and take the trip to Dorne. To speak to you and Lord Baratheon." He turned his attention to Lyonel who had been quietly observing the whole conversation. He had been doing that more since that night when Viserys told them of his past life and their vow to find Duncan The Tall. Observing her quietly, eyes searching for something. Searching for him... She banished the thought quickly. He cannot know, would not know. How could he? He thinks Duncan The Tall would be a knight again and not a Princess of Dorne scarred from a war. "There have been rumblings over what you did, Lord Lyonel. It did not go unnoticed by us or from everyone else. You saved the last of the dragons - children when your own kin would have gladly seen them dead."
Lyonel merely shrugged. "I don't like dead children and dead ladies, they were innocent from the crimes of Aerys and Rhaegar. My brother needs to get his head smacked and see that."
Leanor snorted. "It's why I refused Arryn's offer of being on the man's council - he'll see one look at me and think of my distant kin. Lord Celtigar agrees with that notion. Our true king lives with the Laughing Storm." He flashed both look that reminded the couple of Maekar Targaryen - stern and ready to get this over with. "Viserys is king, he is of my blood. The swords that we of the crown islands have are his."
When Lord Eddard Stark arrived, he came with his younger brother Benjen. Elia remembered Benjen because of her niece. Arianne had followed the young pup all through that damned Tourney that it gave Elia the idea of having the younger Stark betrothed to her niece. She had sent the letter to Lord Stark and had begun to pen the letter to her brother when everything had gone terrible wrong - Lyanna kidnapped by Rhaegar, Lord Stark and his son Brandon riding to King's Landing demanding Lyanna back only to die in the Red Keep... when Elia's nightmares come that dream is the worse, she had been there and saw Lord Rickon and his son burning alive; their screams would always stay with Elia forever. She wanted to keep her promise to Lord Stark - that this marriage come true.
Eddard Stark was quiet as was his brother, both scarred from the Rebellion just as Elia was. They greeted each other politely and Benjen gave her a smile that reminded her so much of that day. When she finally managed to get to talk to the brother alone with Lyonel she asked them about the letter.
"Ben showed it to me... once things calmed down after," Stark said quietly. "You still wish for this betrothal to come true?"
Elia nodded. "I do. I made a promise to your late father that I would convince my brother to see the good in this match between our houses. I will not break my promise now, I still believe it, and I promise you this - Benjen will not be hurt in Dorne. Perhaps in cyvasse, I am no help there," Elia said with a smile that diffused the tension in both Starks with ease. Benjen, on his part, looked eager. "Trust me, Lord Stark, if there is one thing I know for certain is that my brothers hate to see me disappointed."
There was something melancholic in Eddard's eyes, and Elia knew what it was. "If that is the case, then we will be family."
I hope so. For all our sakes.
Arriving in Dorne, they were greeted by the Royal Family and two figures that made Elia want to weep. The banner of House Dayne of Starfall greeted them alongside the banners of House Martell. Next to Oberyn was Lord Aron and Lady Allyria Dayne, both figures looking stoic as they watched the group walk down the plank of the grand ship, the Princess Daella. According to Lord Laenor, it had been named after his great-grandmother, Princess Daella, who had been the older sister of King Aegon and daughter of King Maekar. Elia came down first with the children in two, along with Lyonel, the two Starks, Lord Velaryon, and his men, who carried the body of Prince Lewyn.
Elia handed Daenerys, still asleep, to Coryanne while Viserys and Rhaenys held onto Lyonel. They watched as Elia sank down to her knees in a curtsy in front of her brothers before Doran reached out a hand to grasp hers, helping Elia onto her feet before pulling her into a hug along with Oberyn. The three siblings practically clung to one another, with Doran murmuring something before quietly kissing the side of Elia's temple. She smiled at them, tears in her eyes as she looked at her brothers. Since that day of the massacre, she never thought she would see them again, hear their voices, or hug them for that matter. Yet even with this reunion, it was melancholic as Elia stepped aside to let the body of their uncle come into view. Some of the men of House Martell took over to transport the body to the crypt where the royal family was laid to rest.
She knew that her Uncle would be laid to rest tonight, and the next day would be a small feast to celebrate the life of their beloved Uncle, somber but full of memories they had. Elia knew that even with her time in Dorne, she needed to speak to her brother and then to Allyria about her offer of being her new lady-in-waiting.
Before the funeral, she would speak to them.
It seemed that would not be the case. After being led to her old rooms with her husband, a servant told her that she was being summoned to her brother's solar, alone.
"It is all right," Lyonel told her. "I will see where the nursery is and reliave Daenerys from Coryanne." He laid a kiss on her brow, making Elia's heart flutter. They left in different directions of the castle. Elia felt more relaxed than she's ever been since the attack on King's Landing. The walk to her brother's solar was quick; the servant announced her presence and left the siblings alone. Oberyn was lounging lazily on the loveseat while Doran sat behind his desk writing a letter. They looked at her at the same time as she entered the room. Seeing her brothers felt like home, something she never thought she would see again as the Rebellion raged on.
"Elia," Doran's words are a comfort to her. She never thought she would see her brothers again or step foot in Sunspear, ever. Even before she got married to Rhaeger, Elia knew bitterly that she would never step foot in Dorne again all because she would be the wife of the dragon prince and his future queen. It was not what she wanted, she had refused at first and begged Doran to break the marriage pact but he could not. Because breaking the pact would bring death to their House and a possible war against the Dragons, like their forefathers and foremothers had done eons ago. So, she was married off to the silver prince and the bride price was paid with bloodshed. The only people she blames now are her mother's ambition, Rhaegar, and Aerys. But she is too old to fight with ghosts, she will not allow herself to go down that path. Doran's voice snaps her to the present. "Sit. We wish to talk with you."
Elia knows her brothers too well. She knows just what the topic of this conversation is going to be. "About my new husband?"
"The Storm Lord," Oberyn's voice comes out a sharpness of overprotectivness. She would have found it full of fondness but as of now, Elia finds it irritating. "The King's brother who, according to the rumors, sparred the children of Aerys and protected their lives from his own brother. He married you and brought the dragons to Storm's End."
"If you want me to kill him in his sleep just say so, Bryn. I am too tired for your little story game." Elia says with a touch of irritation in her voice. "He saved mine and Rhaenys lives alongside his men. I owe the Storm Lord and his men my gratitude till my last breath for saving me from the Lannisters. I walked down the asile this time with my eyes open, Lyonel is a good man, far better than Rhaegar and Robert."
"So it is true," Doran cuts in before Oberyn starts to poke his sister more with his words. "The Stag King did take and give back Storm's End from his eldest brother. There's an obvious rift."
"Not hard to look. Lyonel can even see that Robert on the throne will bring nothing but a storm that his brother will not be able to weather," Elia takes a deep breath before she tells them the next part. "We are looking to change crowns."
Doran's eyes are sharp as he looks at his little sister. "Rhaenys?"
"No," Elia's voice is sharp and quick as the whip she once trained with years ago. It takes her siblings aback. "I have something else in mind for Rhaenys. I will not see her die on that throne, I won't lose anymore of my children."
"Viserys," Doran speaks. This time it is softly. Elia nods to confirm his assumption. "He seems to be of sound mind, from what little time I saw him today."
She raises a brow. "He is a mere child, Doran. Even so, Viserys is better than his brother and father combined. I like to think he took after Rhaella more," Her voice is soft as she thinks of her late good-mother. She changes the subject quickly before the tears threaten to fall once more. "The Daynes of Starfall. Why have they come?"
"Allyria and Aron wished to see you. They have also wanted to meet with the Starks, a pressing matter between their houses."
There is only one thing that tied those two houses, an affair that began in that damned Tourney. "Ashara and Brandon Stark..." The pit in her stomach tightens at what she might imply. No... Ashara would have told me. But she could not have, not when you forbade her from contacting you when Aerys thought you were sending secret messages to Doran. Oh Ashara... "Was she... she had a babe?"
The only confirmation was a single nod from Doran and a sad look from Oberyn. She wanted to scream. She wanted to weep. "The babe... are they? It is...?"
"The babe is hers - a boy," Doran confirmed to her. "Ashara wrote in her final note and told her truth to her brother. Brandon married her after finding out she was with child. He would have broken the arraiged marriage between him and Hoster Tully's eldest daughter. The babe is Lord Aron's heir."
"Brandon Stark's surviving siblings will be wroth over this news. The babe is as much their nephew as Aron and Allyria's." Her mind has been racing as she said next, "Let me be in the room for that talk, I have a good rapport with Lord Stark and his brother. Good enough that they are still interested in the betrothal match for Arianne and the youngest wolf. I spoke with them before we left Storm's End."
At that, Doran's eyes piqued with interest that it made Elia smile slightly and Oberyn snort aloud. To have the Starks tied to not only House Martell but House Dayne of Starfall was a boon for Doran, one that Elia could see as a boon for herself later if her plans go accordingly well. All for her revenge and for Viserys. Aegon... her mind whispered. her daring Egg, her first Egg whom she raised and taught only to die in a fiery death - then to come back, having another Egg, her babe. Only for him to die in a much gruesome death, his blood and bits of brain and skull dripping down the walls, his wails once so clear snuffed quickly-
"Elia!" Her mind came back to the present, seeing the horror and worry on her brothers faces as they look at what Elia was doing. She had taken her nails and raked her right arm down, hard enough that two of the lines were drawing blood. Oberyn was the one to stop her, grasping her hand to stop her. Her mind, was inbetween. In the present in Sunspear and in the past in the Red Keep seeing the blood of Aegon dripping down the walls. "Elia stop it. This isn't... stop."
She did, with Oberyn holding her hand fiercely, worried that of he let go she will repeat her infliction of pain on her arm.
Doran stared at her for a good while. Finally he spoke. "The dreams... they've come back, haven't they?"
Her older brother was the only person alive that knew of this. Knew of her past life, of being Ser Duncan the Tall. Her mother knew but she was dead now and now the keeper of her secret is Doran.
"What dreams?" Oberyn asks, brows furrowed together as he looks at Elia and then at Doran. It reminds her of those times when Elia would go and simply be with Doran, seeking the quietness of his presence, sharing jokes and tales only known to them. Oberyn would just complain to their mother over Doran hogging Elia's attention and when he tried to get Elia to tell them the jokes, she would refuse. Spend time with Doran and perhaps you can have jokes with him. It was that expression of fustration and a bit of jelously. It was that expression now on a fully grown Oberyn as he grew impatient over this silent conversation between his elder siblings. "What dreams, Doran?" He snapped.
"Oberyn," Elia's words were sharp and brought memories of their mother to the brothers. "Stop it. Sit down."
He did as he was told and waited. Doran looked at Elia as he silently asked, Are you certain? and Elia silently responded with just a single nod.
So, Doran and Elia told the tale. By the end, Oberyn blinked slowly before his body began to shake with laughter. "How long have you kept this jest? It is a rather long time to keep one going but I applaud you both all the same."
Elia's patience snapped as she slammed her fist on Doran's oak desk making both men jump, startled by the action from their sister. "You think this is all a jest? Tell me is this a jest brother?" Elia began to spout off in vivid details about the fires at Summerhall, to the castle of Winterfell, to the details of the Wall in the North. As she spoke more, Doran seemed to confirm it to Oberyn as his brother never laughed nor stopped Elia's furious words. When she finished, Oberyn was silent.
"The nightmare about the fire at Summerhall... It was not the tale that brought you to tears, was it?"
Elia and Doran shook their heads. "I dreamt of it, of that life before. Memories come and go as I grew and Doran helped me confirm it." Elia took a deep breath before telling her brothers the discovery. "It was confirmed even more at Storm's End. Viserys and Lord Baratheon, it seems, are Egg and the Laughing Storm of old."
"The Laughing Storm? The one that fought in the Trial of The Seven and then raised a rebellion? That Lyonel Baratheon!" It then dawned on her brother. "You married him!"
Elia blew air through her nostrils out of fustration. "Yes. I did and I was his lover before I had to fight him."
Oberyn made a sound, a cross between excitment and awe. His dark brown eyes were full of mirth, his grin wide like a cat. Doran looked as though he was fighting a headache but there was a smile tugging at his lips. Elia knew she was out numbered. "So, is he your lover now? I remember in the tale how utterly dashing the Laughing Storm was described. You would swoon over him! Remember that Doran?"
Elia glared at her brothers. "Please do not mention that to him." Her brothers were uncharacteristically quiet. "Oberyn! Doran!"
Doran tried to end this before his younger siblings began to errupt in an argument. "We won't utter a word, Elia. Right Oberyn?" Their youngest brother just smiled innocently, nodding his promise to his sister. Doran let out air through his nostrils. "Now then, you and Lord Lyonel are planning a coup. Who have you gathered so far?"
"The Hightowers have pledged their friendship to us. Lord Laenor has told me that he and the Crownlands will join to bring Viserys to the throne."
"What about a betrothal for the little prince?" Oberyn asked her.
Elia pursed her lips, she knew that what she said next would cause her brothers to grow upset. But she had to tell them and so she told them what the King had said to Lyonel and her. That whatever child came from this union, perferably a girl would be betrothed to Viserys Targaryen. Her brothers became quiet.
"I am not so sure if Pycelle's told the truth after I had Aegon. He told Rhaegar and myself that I was infertile after Aegon's birth."
Doran's eyebrows furrowed. "You think he lies?"
Elia merely shrugged her shoulders. "He is a Lannister man, Tywin's man. I never trusted him after Lord Stark and Brandon Stark's deaths and even more so after the Sacking."
"You think he will poison the King with his words?" Oberyn asked which made Elia snort unhumorously.
"Pycelles, Tywin, Cersei. They all have their claws in Robert. Jaime has escaped to be the heir that Tywin finally wants - hopefully he finds a good woman to help him keep himself away from his family." For Elia, the young knight became another younger brother to her and she would always worry over Jaime. "It will take years to get the Targaryens back to their seat of power but if anyone can do it, it is House Baratheon and House Martell." She let out a laugh. "Isn't it ironic? House Martell, a lifelong enemy of the dragons. Now we, their descendants, are trying to put them back in the place of power."
"Yes but there is a difference," Doran said with a twinkle in his eyes. "A princess of Dorne is now the Dragons mother. You hold the power now, little sister."