unbowed unbent unbroken

PRINCE QUENTYN NYMEROS MARTELL OF DORNE

[fierystag-blog]

“Oh I have. I know he still cares very deeply for that bastard wench and when a man cares so deeply for a woman like that, they don’t care for vows they have sworn too.” Jaime Lannister was an example of that but he was not needed in this conversation. “Shireen is a gentle girl but I am not a gentle man. If your father or your brother dishonours this alliance in any way then he will lose a son and Trystane will loose the first girl he ever loved. I have sinned enough for my family and cause do not doubt I will not do it again.”

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn assumed his brother would be spending his time in Kings Landing and Storms End, with Myrcella apparently being brought back to Dorne, the prince wasn’t sure why she’d be that much of an issue. Trystane had affection for her, yes, but he wasn’t stupid enough to act upon it and risk angering Stannis, who commanded an army bigger than the Dornish forces and who would not hesitate to seek retribution for his daughter’s hypothetical betrayal. “No one will insult Shireen or the alliance. Despite your shining opinion of the Martells, we are not a family of fools.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

Daenerys often wondered if other rulers let their adviser get as close as she had allowed Quentyn. She saw him as both a member of her council and as a friend. He had been loyal to her for so long, it was hard to avoid friendship. “If I can accept such a trait in myself then you can too. You are stubborn as any true Dornishman should be.” She sounded like a mother scolding her child for talking back. Their relationship had developed after she had been betrayed by Hardyng and cast from her throne. She needed him more than she had ever done, it also allowed him to question her more, something which she was grateful most of the time although sometimes her pride took major damage. 

She wondered how she should answer his question without sounding irresponsible or weak. How could she make Quentyn understand that they had made an agreement to simply be Jon and Dany on that occasion? No talk of politics or alliances. “It was not the time or place to discuss the issue further. He will tell me everything when I get to the wall.” She had a feeling it had something to do with her dragons since he had referred to her as the conversation to be between The Mother of Dragons and the Lord Commander but she had no way of confirming her suspicions. “It does not matter what it is. This is an unofficial alliance we can make without having to think about marriage or anything of the like. Maybe I can provide aid, maybe I cannot. It will mean much if I simply show up ready to listen to whatever difficulties they are facing.” She listened to his answer and nodded at his request. “That sounds reasonable, I will promise you that.” Daenerys made an expression when she was reminded of the Lannisters. “I will keep an eye out for trouble and always keep a guard close.” She could handle thieves and rapists, she had been around them for much of her life. “I trust you to be careful as well. Margaery is used to playing the game, she is good at it. I should think they mean us no harm but you never know which alliances form in secret.”

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn huffed, but decided against arguing with Daenerys on that particular subject. Instead he finished dressing and made his way over to the rickety wooden cabinet that had a small cracked mirror, a basin filled with water and a towel placed on top.  He busied himself with splashing the liquid on his face, feeling the iciness invigorate him. The prince ran his damp hands through his messy hair, hoping that it would help tame it into some version of presentability. After that, he dried his face and hands with the towel and turned back to Daenerys.

“It was not the time or the place to do many things, but you should have found out exactly what he wanted before agreeing to travel to the other side of the realm. What does he even require of you  anyway? What is it that you could give him that other cannot?” Normally the easy answer would have been the dragons of course. But Hardyng had them, so why not seek out the usurper? Quentyn knew very little about the Lord Commander, but from what he’d heard, he was a good man. That soothed the prince’s worries somewhat but the whole situation was far too vague for him to be comfortable or reassured. “After you have spoken to Jon Snow, and after I’ve figured out why Margaery Baratheon desires my presence at Casterly Rock, and after I’ve spoken to Petyr Baelish, where shall we regroup and reveal all we’ve learned?” Quentyn pursed his lips. “I had a feeling the Rose Queen wasn’t just the pretty ornament she makes people think she is. I’ll be careful.”

[fierystag-blog]

“And his former lover,” Stannis confirmed. “You are not yet a father so you do not know the lengths that I will go to in order to protect my daughter’s happiness and future. If your brother makes her unhappy then Myrcella will suffer the consequences. If your father toys with my alliance then he will get part of his future ripped away from him. The terms have been set, perhaps you should decide what is more important. A Targaryen or your house and blood.”

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn couldn’t wait until Daenerys had her dragons back and Stannis Baratheon was forced to retract his threats and beseech forgiveness. The Martell prince may have been apart from the rest of his family but that did not mean he took such insults lightly. “If you had bothered to get to know your new son-by-law you’d already know that he would not do anything to hurt Shireen. He has honor, and just because he feels sorry for the Lannister bastard doesn’t mean he will betray his new wife.”

[rezasand-blog]

🐍 ▌ QUENTYN

Loreza smiled wickedly at him. ❝Oh, surely I would have noticed someone as attractive as yourself… Perhaps you were in hiding.❞ Or perhaps, she was paying more attention to her broken heart at the wedding to notice much else. ❝It truly is a shame that we have not met sooner, cousin.❞ She echoed back. ❝Relations aside, I believe you need more than a solitary drink. Don’t you think?❞ 

[quentynxmartell]

“It is true that I chose not to make my presence known.” It was a lie, of course. Quentyn hadn’t been at the wedding but he had told Trystane he was to protect the younger Martell’s happiness and so he stuck with the lie whenever he spoke with someone about the wedding. “At the time I was not interested in the attention I would draw.” That much was true, whispers had already begun to follow Quentyn throughout the Red Keep and the novelty was quickly wearing off. “Yes, a shame. But I had duties elsewhere and I’m sure you got along just fine with my siblings.” The prince held up a hand. “Perhaps when I’ve finished the first.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

She had a will that was not easily crossed, she could say nothing against his words because she knew them to be true. “Then that makes two infuriatingly stubborn people in this room.” Quentyn was no better than herself when it came to being stubborn, he was much less impulsive and more calculating, which was why it was important for her to keep him around. Daenerys needed someone to level her out, she needed someone who would speak against her if she was wrong, but also someone who would be at her side despite her mistakes. Quentyn had always been there, he had been there through it all. She often wondered if he still saw her as a young woman, barely old enough to fully understand how to rule. Sometimes, she was sure he did especially when she was insecure and in doubt of her decisions as she had been then. It happened more frequently after the loss of her dragons, it was new territory for her to be without the power which they provided her. Even Westeros had willingly given her a kingdom in order to remain at peace and to escape the fire. All of that was gone now but she still had not changed much, she could not play the game alone. She still behaved as if she had the same power when in reality she had nothing at all.

“You have sworn loyalty to me as well. Are you saying you would not be grateful if someone aided your family, your own brother?” Daenerys knew nothing of the loyalty of family. She was proud of being a Targaryen but there was none to share such an intimate bond with, none to pledge her loyalty and dedication to but herself. “I have none of my own but the bonds of family are strong. It will not be enough to sway the King of the North but it will be a token of good will if I am able to help.” She frowned when he mentioned Hardyng and Sansa Stark. It would be unfortunate for her if a marriage and thereby an alliance would take place between the two. That was just another reason to do something and go to the North. “No, indeed you cannot.” She thought for a moment before reaching a decision. “You will go to the Rose Queen and when you know more of where Renly and Margaery stand regarding the Vale and the rule of Hardyng, you will send a raven to Baelish with minimal information. The invitation was extended to you, Quentyn, not me - just as the invitation to the Wall was extended to me, not you.” She hesitated before reaching the obvious conclusion. “While you are gone, I will go to the Wall. We will divide and conquer.” Daenerys knew they had not been apart often, he barely left her side at all, but there were much to do and little time to do so. He was her best diplomat, her best connection to the other houses of Westeros. He could handle such a task, she could handle whatever waited for her in the North. “The Unsullied will keep me safe on the journey and when I reach the Wall, I will be under the protection of the Night’s Watch - or at least, the Lord Commander.” 

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn remembered back to a time long ago, when he’d arrived at Daenerys’ court in Meereen and had been completely obliging to whatever she asked or commanded. It had taken years for him to become comfortable around her and establish a true rapport, to get to a point where he felt comfortable in challenging her commands and offer his own ideas. Sometimes the prince thought he’d become too comfortable, to the point where he and Daenerys bickered like children. At the end of the day she was still a Queen and deserved the respect afforded to someone in her position. Still... Their circumstances had changed since she was deposed, as had the dynamic between them. He had to challenge her because if Quentyn did, who would? Who else would point out the flaws in a plan that could easily get them killed? “I’m not stubborn.” He muttered annoyingly, risking sounding like a petulant child.

“Of course I’d be grateful to anyone who aided my family should they need it, but that doesn’t mean I’d readily aid them in return if it meant being at the receiving end of hostility and distrust from others who have more than enough power to kill me a hundred times over.” Quentyn was quite certain that helping the Lord Commander would garner a level of gratitude from Robb Stark but no more than that. He sighed. “A token of good will is better than nothing I suppose, and it’s more than we can hope for in our current state. Why did the Lord Commander ask for your aid anyway? What does he think you have that could aid him for far north?” Quentyn thoroughly against splitting up, but what Daenerys said made sense. Their presence had been requested at opposite sides of the realm and neither one could be in two places at once. He trusted the Unsullied to keep her safe of course, she’d earned their devotion and unshakable loyalty long ago, but he still felt uneasy. “Fine, it will be as you say. But promise me that if you find yourself in any trouble, you will make your way to White Harbor and buy passage on a ship to Dorne. If you encounter trouble we will regroup back at the estate. And please be careful at the Wall. Under the protection of Jon Snow or not, it’s still filled with thieves and rapists and Lannisters.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

When she felt his hand on hers, she breathed easier. The tension in her shoulders eased once more and she understood the message. Forgiveness. Daenerys listened to Aegon speak with great curiosity. Just as she had been saved and smuggled to Essos as a baby, he had been as well. A part of her longed to speak with him of family lost and sacrifices made. He could not remember his parents, she had never had the chance to meet her own. Her father dead before she was brought into the world, her own birth responsible for the death of her mother. She only had Viserys who thought her to be nothing more than a vessel, something he could sell for the chance to get the crown that he had so desperately wanted. Maybe he could understand the deep loneliness which sometimes swept over her? The thought was intriguing, it was a new possibility which she had never imagined would arise. “Lord Varys.” That was a name she knew. The former Master of Spies must certainly have been capable of switching children without anyone taking notice. She had heard of his cunningness and intelligence. For her, there was no question of the man sitting in front of her being Aegon, most there was still the question of how to proceed now. 

Daenerys is not much of an issue. Her eyes eclipsed as the words left his mouth, she did not blame Quentyn for speaking the truth, she had admitted to herself only a moment ago, but it still gnawed away at her pride. “Once I have my children and my kingdom back, I will become an issue.” With these words, she looked up at her nephew. Her darkened eyes grew uncertain, it was dangerous to keep him close, but she also knew the risk of letting him roam free. He could get hurt or killed by those who wanted to see all Targaryens dead and gone, he could gather support for a claim on her throne. She noticed the remark about the other Dornish prince, it grabbed her attention enough for her to turn and look at her faithful adviser through the years. If he had to choose between her and her brother, surely he would pick his blood over an exiled Queen. This thought made her stomach churn and she looked back at Aegon with a determined nod. “I want you to stay by my side, it is too dangerous for a Targaryen to be alone and without support these days. I have people who can protect you.” Dany decided it wiser to be able to keep her eyes on him - not just for the sake of his survival but also in order to prevent him from betraying her and taking what belonged to her. She squeezed Quentyn’s arm silently and discreetly as a warning not to protest to this. In the end, it did not matter who the fair-haired man truly was. She thought him to be her blood because of his looks, everyone else would naturally assume that he was of Targaryen blood as well. “You will still have to earn my support and trust but I will grant you what little safety I can provide while you do so. You have to understand it is not without risks. Hardyng knows that I am alive and on Westerosi soil, there is a chance that he might come for me.”

[aegon-targ-blog]

Aegon had already told them everything, there was no reason to keep one name in secret. They would get to know it sooner or later anyways. “The name of the man was Jon Connington. He raised me in the Free Cities.” To Quentyn, Aegon replied calmly and softly.  “I have been under a disguise for twenty eight years. I am quite aware that everything must be kept out of public sights.” The metalwork that the he had presented to his family was still on the table in front of them. Before the memories he just had experienced started flowing in his mind again, he took it back and put in his pocket, where it would linger until he decided to remember again. He was once again shifting his eyes between the two, while Daenerys was explaining her statement. A deep relief shattered Aegon’s body. Of course it was explainable, that she would want more time until he got to trust him, but before anything, the half Targaryen was loyal. “I do understand that. I also understand that there are potential enemies around each corner, I never doubted that.”

Aegon and his aunt shared a similar past, which was probably why she accepted him. Maybe she didn’t want him as an enemy clearly due to political issues, but the man was deeply relieved and happy of the results of this conversation. Although many questions were not asked nor answered on the both sides, there would certainly be enough time to clear out the uncertainties. “I am thankful for your support.” The words applied to both of them. If he was to have an alliance with Daenerys, he had to get on the Dornish man’s good side as well. The man would stay skeptical for a long time, Aegon was sure of that, but that would pass with the time, or at least he thinks. 

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn silently wondered if Aegon and Daenerys had even been close to crossing paths during their childhoods. Both raised in Essos by very different people, it would have been a great irony to have a family member so close yet so far away. The name Jon Connington was one he’d heard once or twice in the past, but had no significance to him. “It’s easy to keep things under wraps when it’s just your life on the line.” He replied in a clipped tone. “But quite another when it’s the life of someone you don’t know. This is my brother we speak of, so considering his life quite literally hinges on you denying receiving aid from the Martells, I suggest you take extra care, yes?” The prince supposed that he was hammering home a point that had already been made. But for Trystane’s sake, it never hurt to make sure.

The prince smiled reassuringly at Daenerys. He knew his words would have stung to hear and he regretted that but it didn’t make them any less true. For now she was just a woman with enough guards to protect her, but not enough to instill worry in anyone. “You’ll get them back, you will. And then you’ll be a force no one can stop.” Quentyn turned his attention back to Aegon. He was still leery about actually giving his own support to this newly discovered cousin, despite what Daenerys had promised. 

[themotherdragon-archive]

She watched as he continued to finish dressing. She tried remaining unaffected but she found her eyes stuck to him. She kept silent through it all. Daenerys tried forgetting the times she had stood outside his door at night when the loneliness became unbearable, but she never knocked or gave into temptation because she needed Quentyn in order to succeed. She hated depending on anyone but without him, it would take her twice as long to get back what was stolen from her. She could not let something get in the way of that. She ignored the tug of want in the pit of her stomach as he spoke of the dragons. “Rhaegal will have to do but Drogon is unpredictable, I doubt Harrold can keep him under his control for long despite the cursed magic.” Soon all thoughts of want and desire were gone when he agitated her. “I know what the trick is, I am not an idiot!” She took a deep breath, she would not allow herself to get riled up. She understood that he was angry, maybe he even blamed himself, but such a thing would be foolish and that was something he was not. “I got angry, I lost my temper and all sense and reason disappeared. It was a mistake, one I won’t allow it to happen again.” Dany needed for them to be on good enough terms for him to listen to her. 

“We would but that is not your burden to bear. That burden will be mine and mine alone.” In the end, Daenerys was the one who had lost it all. She had let things spin out of control. She was supposed to control her dragons, she was the Unburnt and the Mother of Dragons, people had expected her to keep them safe and she had failed her task as ruler. She was eager in seeking redemption. “Margaery extended you an invitation to mend the bond between the Tyrells and Martells. She seemed to doubt Harrold’s control with the dragons, maybe both she and her husband will support us in the quest to get the dragons back. You will ensure they do if there is a chance.” She continued without telling him about how she accidentally mentioned the horn just so Quentyn had no chance to interrupt her and scold her once more. “I also ran into the Lord Commander. I want us to go to the Wall soon. The Night’s Watch seek our help with something, it sounded important. Jon is the brother of Robb Stark, there might be a chance for an alliance if we aid the Wall and thereby the North. I believe it is worth a shot. You said yourself you too were tired of hiding, well, then let us stop hiding and set things in motion.” Dany looked determined although desperation also burned in her eyes. “I cannot go back to simply sit day in and day out in that estate, Quentyn. Please, if not for the advantages this might provide then for the sake of my sanity.”

[quentynxmartell]

“They are your dragons, you know them best so as always, I will take you word for it.” A simple reply spoken without actually look in her direction. Quentyn knew some things about the beasts Daenerys called her children, but he knew nothing about the magic Hardyng used to control them. Just that a horn was blown which swayed them under his command. The prince glanced up and gave her a bemused look. “I never said you were an idiot. Impulsive, yes. And infuriatingly stubborn, but not an idiot.” Dany wouldn’t have last as long as she had if she was and idiot. She more than likely would have died when Drogo did or lived for the rest of her days in Vaes Dothrak. Quentyn wiped a hand over his eyes and sighed loudly. He truly disliked arguing with the Dragon Queen, but if he didn’t call her out on foolishness, then who would? A Queen she may be, but her actions were not above criticism. That being said, he could rarely stay mad at Daenerys for long. He held up his hands in surrender, though knowing her as well as he did, the likelihood she would lose all sense of reason again maybe wasn’t quite as low as she thought. “Alright, alright. Apology accepted.”

Quentyn looked at Dany for a while. “I help shoulder your burdens too, Daenerys. Whether I should or whether you want me to does not matter, I do it anyway.” While he remained at her side as a loyal companion, he had no choice. Not that it would have made him choose any differently, it was a weight he was now accustomed to bearing. The mention of the Rose Queen brought him back to focus. “You spoke with Maegaery Baratheon too?” Quentyn was highly suspicious of her reasoning for extending the invitation. If it was really to strengthen relations between the two houses, why not invite Arianne or Doran, two people why had more of a connection to Dorne. Not that he himself did not feel connected to his homeland, but he’d been gone a long time and the ties were frayed. “I only spoke briefly with her in Kings Landing, but I got the distinct impression she didn’t really hold Hardyng in high regard.” He sized up the task Daenerys set up before him. “And how do you suppose I ensure the support of the two most powerful regions in Westeros when we currently have nothing to offer in return?” The Lord Commander too? Gods above, was there anyone at the feast with whom she hadn’t spoken to or revealed her identity? “And was Jon Snow kind enough to tell you why he wanted us to go North, or did he offer nothing but vague issues that needed solving? The Lord Commabder is a Brother of the Nights Watch before he is a brother of Robb Stark. Men forgo their familial ties when they take the black, expect nothing from the Stark King. Anyway, can I have been the only one to here the rumors of affection between Hardyng and Sansa Stark?” Quentyn stood and ran a hand through his messy hair. “So you want me to go to Casterly Rock, but you also want to go to the Wall. Daenerys, I haven’t even sought Petyr Baelish out yet. I cannot be everywhere at once.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

Daenerys knew that she had hurt Quentyn the moment she saw the look in his eyes. She tried to maintain her composure but it was quite clear she felt ashamed of her words. She put her hand on his arm as a sign of peace and affection. It was meant as a silent apology. “Ignoring facts and circumstances can easily doom you as well.” The words were a direct response to his insult. She had been left in no question about Aegon’s parentage, but she had not foolishly given into him and told the fair-haired man in front of her of everything. She trusted more easily than the Martell but she was no fool. As her words stung him, she felt her pride take a hit at his words too. She hated being stuck in such a relationship with one of her closest advisers and friends, she needed it to be fixed before the next step on the road to reclaiming what was rightfully hers. The Vale had also been his home, he deserved it back. She looked at the medallion before inspecting Quentyn’s reaction to it.

“- but Quentyn has kept me alive and safe for many years. His judgement means everything to me.” She let the words spill from her lips, her eyes softer than before as she looked at the Dornish prince. Daenerys hoped this would patch up the wound she had inflicted on him without attending to. She had been annoyed still at how he had spoken to her after the feast, but the more she thought about her words, the more she regretted ever having spoken them. He took more offence than she meant for him to take. Her purple eyes wandered back to her nephew. Her opinion still had not changed but Quentyn was right in his statement. She had trusted him too easily, she should have been even more critical than she had been. A small part of her did not want to be alone, she did not want to be the last Targaryen because that would mean the end of her family’s line. “I believe you, Aegon. No matter which family you feel more of a connection to, you must know the Martells are in a better position than myself at the moment. I have nothing to offer you, there is nothing to gain by my side. I have no kingdom, no dragons.” The words burned in her throat as she said them, she hated having to admit weakness especially to someone who might contend with her for the title of regent. The small doubt only bloomed once more, it would eventually be overcome by rage and the need for justice, but it was her dark-eyed companion who had convinced her to fight. If he were to pull his support, she would be left in deep, dark waters and she would likely drown.

[aegon-targ-blog]

The Dornish Prince was definitely not amused by Aegon’s response. Of course, it was only logical that he was skeptical and full with doubts. If one cares about someone, they would do anything to protect them, including negotiating with a supposed-to-be-dead cousin. The silent and secretive conflict between the two did not really affect Aegon in any ways. He had other purposes this night. He started talking, yet another time with a calm voice. “I did not seek out Daenerys in Meereen, because my word was not taken too serious by my advisers at the time. They convinced me that she would linger there, and would not come back to Westeros. All my life, I have been repeated that Westeros is my true home, and they did not want me staying in Essos more than I already had. My advisors could have made me claim the throne, right then and there, but we all know how that would end. I had no men to support me. So I stayed anyways.” He took a deep breath, while shifting his eyes to the violet hues of his aunt and the dark sights of his cousin. 

“Lord Varys, who is known to have affection for the Targaryen house, together with my mother arranged a switch between me and another baby.” He, of course, could not remember this, but what he could do is paint the story in his head. As he talked, the tale was materializing in front of him, like every time he thought of it. “I do not know why Ellia or Rhaenys were not saved. All I know is that I was saved.. I was left to a man that Lord Varys had already arranged things with. He raised me and took care of me as like I was his own.” he locked eyes with Daenerys and continued. “I am coming late here, and I know that. Yes, you are without a kingdom. Yes, you are without your dragons. But family must stay together in it’s darkest times no matter of it’s possessions or situation. Even if I am half-blood, the Targaryens and the Martells are both family to me.” As he said that, he tilted his head towards the prince too. Having the blood of the Martells in his veins, Quentyn was as much related to Aegon as Daenerys was. His words applied to both of them. “Believing stories, could get anyone killed, but this is all I have to offer.” 

He looked at the Mother of Dragons following the Prince afterwards. “Daenerys, Quentyn. I am not here to make enemies. I am here to seek help. Does it really matter who I’ve sought first? I would have come to both anyways.” His words hanged in the air. Aegon thought they were alone in the tavern, as like everyone had disappeared. But they had not. “It all comes up to the decision you make. I cannot force you to do anything.” His words were pointed towards both of them. “You either accept me or you do not.” I have no power upon your decisions.

[quentynxmartell]

Ignoring facts certainly could doom them, the Prince silently agreed. Like ignoring the fact that Aegon had no solid proof that he was who he said he was. Quentyn squeezed his eyes shut and tried to rid his mind of bitter thoughts. His overcritical tendencies often aided him, but sometimes it was more of a hindrance. Quentyn knew Daenerys had not intentionally hurt him, and so he tried his best to see the situation from her point of view. How would he feel if he had essentially been alone since birth, with no one but a mad brother. A brother who later died leaving him completely alone. It was a type of loneliness  that Daenerys was closely familiar with, but Quentyn wasn’t. Despite being parted from his family for many years, the fact still remained that he had a family to be parted from in the first place. Could he really blame his brave Dragon Queen for leaping at the possibility she wasn’t the last of her house? The prince gently laid his hand over hers and gave a small nod, a gesture he hoped conveyed that he forgave her. The sting her words had inflicted had not yet gone away, but the forgiveness was there.

Quentyn did not know who these advisers Aegon spoke of were, but he questioned their plan of action and the path they’d led this supposed Targaryen down. If they didn’t want him physically in Dorne, then why not send a trusted envoy with a letter? Aegon could have grown up in the Water Gardens surrounded by family. His hair dyed brown and his true identity hidden. They could have claimed he was a bastard of house Dayne to explain his eyes. Quentyn sighed. So many what-could-have-been thoughts. To learn that Elia was one of the people to orchestrate the plan to save Aegon was a cold shock. If she’d had time to do such a thing, surely she would have had time to sneak herself and her children out of the city. Why save her son and not her daughter? Why not save herself? The prince would likely have a hundred similar questions by the time he and Aegon parted ways, with answers for none of them. If Quentyn ever wanted hard facts, it was clear he’d have to go to Varys, another man whom he did not trust. “Who was the man that raised you? Where did he raise you? What was his name?” The prince couldn’t help but quirk an eyebrow at the mention of ‘darkest times’. To him, Daenerys’ darkest times had been when Meereen was being attacked, or immediately after Hardyng had stolen her throne and dragons. Both times Aegon had been completely absent.

Quentyn wondered how Doran would take the news that his nephew was alive and well. “If it is help you came to us for then there are... complications. At least on the Martell side.” He leaned forward, not wanting anyone but the two people he sat with to hear. “Mostly everyone knows that I am loyal to Daenerys, that is no secret. As of yet it is not much of an issue because Daenerys is not much of an issue.” Not without her dragons anyway. “But if House Martell were to make a formal and public alliance with a Targaryen, it will not be taken lightly. Stannis Baratheon has already threatened my brother’s life because of my relationship with Daenerys.” Quentyn’s dark eyes burned into Aegon with a sudden fierce intensity. “Secrecy is key, do you understand?”

[themotherdragon-archive]

“No offence, Quentyn, but your family did not seek immediate revenge for his parents’ and sister’s death. What reason should he have for trusting your side of the family? Take a closer look, will you really deny he has some Targaryen blood in him?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Besides, he found me instead. He sought out his Targaryen family.” Daenerys did not mean to defend Aegon, but there was no doubt in her mind that they shared the same blood. She wondered briefly if Quentyn was trying to save her from more complications, but she did not see how that was possible with the proof sitting right in front of them. Purple eyes, despite his hair being slightly blue, she was sure it was white as hers underneath. It would be much easier to judge him as nothing more than an imposter, but she knew that was not the right thing to do. “It is easy enough to swap babies, do you honestly think the Lannister brutes inspected the child before smashing it against the wall? Did you not hear the same rumours as I did?” 

Her gaze and attention went back to Aegon. “Your cousin raises an excellent question though. Unlike me, you are not pure Targaryen. You had a Dornish mother. It would make sense to at least try and seek them out, but I am willing to guess you are intelligent and  you already plan to.” A part of her really hoped not but he would be foolish to pass up on that opportunity. She wished for there to be a small doubt gnawing at her insides, she wanted to look at him and not be sure he was her family, but Daenerys found it impossible to flee from. It would be idiotic to waste time on making something so obviously true a lie. “You seem to have to convince my companion of your parentage. I suggest you start talking and that you speak only truth.”

[aegon-targ-blog]

Daenerys, kind of defending him, breathed a little bit more confidence in Aegon’s body. Of course, this did not meant he had won her trust or anything, but he was sure that he still had a chance. He looked towards his cousin and started talking. “I have just set foot on Westeros land. I would have went to Dorne straight away, as I thought Daenerys was dead after her exile.” The prince wanted proof, which he was about to receive,  but first, Aegon had to be sure, that Quentyn knew for sure, that the meaning of this whole conversation was not to find new enemies. “I am as much a Targaryen, as I am a Martell, but I do bear my father’s surname. Even the slightest hint of rumor for Daenerys’ survival would point my way towards her. As it did.” Aegon pulled his hands a little bit towards him, while plotting what his next sentence would be. He needed to be extra careful.

“It would have been adequate, to take the path right to Dorne, yes, but this does not mean I should had pretended like the other half of my blood was nonexistent.” And he was right. His appearance screamed Targaryen, but part of his personality was Dornish as well. His sights locked on the Mother of Dragons. “I came looking for you first, because I have always felt the Targaryen part of me stronger in my heart..” His eyesight shifted towards the Martell prince. “.. but I had a place for my mother as well, although I have never experienced the love of neither one of them.” His eyebrow was raised, as his hand reached in his pocket and placed a medallion on the table in front of them. Dornish metalwork. He hoped Quentyn would recognize the craft which was typical to the techniques they used to make blades at the Southern Kingdom. Solid, yet detailed and fine as sand. The necklace was small, with a circled shape. The jewel had no color, instead using the metal’s natural beauty. It had the shape of a three-headed dragon, but instead of wings, the necklace shifted into a sun, with a spear going through it. Or at least not physical love. “I have always been told, ever since I was a child that this item was found on my neck the very day I was transferred through the Narrow Sea and presented to my adopters there.” After a brief pause, he took a breath and calmly said. “And I tend, to believe those stories.”

[quentynxmartell]

Betrayal burned in Quentyn’s dark eyes as he looked disbelievingly at Daenerys. He would be lying if he didn’t admit that the speed with which she jumped to defend this strange man didn’t cut deep. “Dorne is the poorest and least populated of all the Seven Kingdoms, as well you know.” He was angry, but kept his voice low and steady. Daenerys was insulting his people and his home. “We lost much in Roberts Rebellion and were in no fit shape to launch an immediate attack against the Lannisters. Doing so would have been suicide and my father was clever enough to see that.” As tense and awkward as relations may have been between the Martell father and son, he loved Doran and wouldn’t stand to hear him disrespected, even by Dany. Quentyn stared at the man claiming to be Aegon. His eyes were subdued in the dim lighting but the were certainly purple and like Daenerys he clearly used dye to hide his hair. “Pale hair and purple eyes do not automatically mean Targaryen. The Daynes all have purple eyes, and some have been known to have pale hair. Same with the Velaryons, and in Volantis and Lys there are countless people with the Valyrian look. Forgive me, but someone has to remain impartial and critical in this situation. Easily believing stories is a sure way to get killed.” The comment was subtly aimed at Daenerys though he did not look at her. “My companion here insists you sought her out. I find it curious that you do so now that she is exiled and in hiding, as opposed to when she was at the height of her power in Meereen with three thriving dragons. Or even when she was Queen of the Vale. Both times her location was well known. Why now?”

This Aegon claimant gave excuses, yes, but few satisfied Quentyn. There were obvious holes in his tale and clear questions that didn’t have answers. The prince held up one hand. “Here is your Dornish family, two uncles, three legitimate cousins and a slew of bastard cousins, their location well known and living in a period of calm and peace.” He held up his other hand. “Here I have your Targaryen aunt and uncle, running from assassins and never remaining in one place for long. Which one did you choose?” Quentyn let his hands fall to the table with a muted thud. “Neither, you disappeared.” He didn’t believe it was a mere pull of Targaryen blood. At best it was pure and simple stupidity, at worst he was lying. “Your disregarded a sure thing because blood pulled you towards uncertainty. Not exactly a wise decision, now was it?” The instincts of any normal man or woman would have pushed them towards the Martells, if Aegon truly was who he said he was, why did he make life so difficult for himself? Quentyn picked up the necklace before him and carefully inspected it. The craftsmanship was excellent, and very familiar. The look and feel reminded him of the trinkets his mother and Arianne had worn before he left Sunspear. It also had similarities to his own sword, and with the Martell sun and Targaryen dragon designed to join together, it made it a piece that only Aegon or Rhaenys should have. “If you really are Aegon, son of Elia and Rhaegar, who saved you that night and why didn’t they save Rhaenys and my aunt too? How did you survive this long? Who raised you? My trust is extremely hard to win, so you might as well tell me everything.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

She had expected the slam of the door yet it still forced her to blink in surprise. Daenerys knew that she could be difficult. She had been told many times that she was too stubborn and too impulsive, but the Dornish prince had lived with it for long enough to be somewhat used to her behaviour. “I am not helpless.” She took small offence in his words despite it being true. Physically, she had no means of defending herself. She knew not how to fight, her dragons had always watched over her and she had been surrounded by guards and knights most of her life. However, she was good at talking her way out of situations. Daenerys knew what words to say to make people back off, she knew which words would put a trembling fear in their very bones. None of that had worked with Harrold, of course, because he knew her and because he had her best weapons locked up somewhere unknown to her and her supporters. “It was not like I came here with the intention to do so, Harrold got under my skin and I could not control my temper.” She turned her back to Quentyn once more in order to try and collect her thoughts. She had no real defense because she knew that she had acted irrationally and without thought.

“What would be the point of lying, Quentyn? I will be personally offended if he thinks me stupid enough to try and storm the Vale without a big enough army just because he told me that. Maybe Rhaegal is fighting the emotional aspect of whatever magical hold he has on them, he told me the dragons loved him.” She grimaced at the words but then sighed deeply. “Or maybe he just told me that to get under my skin.” Daenerys let out a noise of frustration, she was annoyed with herself for letting Harrold toy with her, she was annoyed that she was in this position to begin with. She whipped around to look at him again. “I am tired of sitting around and doing nothing. I know you want to keep me safe but I cannot live a life in hiding, I cannot let other people save me from the mess I helped make.” She grew impatient waiting for Quentyn to let it go. Dany sighed in defeat as her eyes and voice grew slightly softer. “I am sorry, alright? Now, if you would stop scolding me like a child, I could tell you about my other run-ins. I also spoke with the Rose Queen and the Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. They recognised my eyes.”

[quentynxmartell]

Quentyn let out a snort that didn’t refute or agree with her claim. He wouldn’t anger her by revealing the truth of the matter; that stripped of outside advantages, when faced with Harrold Hardyng, Daenerys really was helpless. She had no knowledge of fighting, not even with a dagger. Had the usurper wanted, he absolutely could have killed her at the feast. It was nothing short of a miracle that Dany had provoked him and gotten away with little more than a bruise. The Dragon Queen had a long list of wonderful qualities but when it came to her sheer might, it rested in the dragons and without them it was difficult for anyone to fear her. Quentyn finished doing up the laces on his boots and instead turned his attention to his shirt and doublet in a pile on the floor beside his bed. He hoped that keeping his hands busy would stop him from punching a hole into the wall or simply grabbing his sword and riding after Hardyng in a fit of fury. His attack on Daenerys wasn’t only a result of her poor judgment, but it reflected badly on Quentyn’s ability to keep her safe. It made him feel like a fool.

Maybe she was right. Maybe Rhaegal was mentally fighting and not physically fighting whatever magic the traitor held over them. But he didn’t see how this could aid them, especially since even if the dragon was fighting, it was still locked away. However, if it gave Daenerys hope and another small reason to continue on, he wouldn’t be the one to rob her of it. “If only Rhaegal could convince Drogon to fight too. Then we may be getting somewhere.” Quentyn blinked up at her. “Hardyng wants to goad you, to gloat. To rub salt in the wounds by reminding you that he won and you lost. The trick is to not give into him and for example, strike him.” He had only just woken up and already he was tired again. It would be a long day indeed. “Don’t you think I am also tired of living in hiding?” The prince snapped, immediately regretting the sharpness of his tone. He inclined his head in silent apology and softened his voice. “I am only one man, Daenerys. One man against insurmountable odds. Be it that I could conjure miracle, we would all be better for it.” Quentyn’s gaze snapped up to meet her familiar purple eyes as his jaw clenched. It seemed that for every wave of irritation he overcame, she managed to set another one in motion. “I’m listening.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

She observed him carefully as he spoke. Daenerys took notice of how nervous he seemed to be. She would not dispute the truth in their words, there were several people who would love to see the entire Targaryen line die out. “We are perfectly safe here. I am not alone. There are no threats to us here.” You could be a threat and I am not going anywhere with you. This was the real meaning behind her reason for wanting to stay. He had much to gain if she was to depart from this world. He was more of a threat to her than many others. Maybe he would turn out to be a great alliance, maybe he would be her doom, there was no way of telling yet. “I want to talk but we will remain here. We are safe here, Aegon, there is no reason for worry.” This was not up for discussion. Dany had already tested the Dornish prince’s patience by sneaking away, she was not going to again and especially not with someone who could gain something by her death.  

When she saw her companion enter the inn, she immediately felt some of the pressure she felt leave her body. She seemed to relax her shoulders when Quentyn took the seat next to her. She could see the other Targaryen’s confusion painted clear on his face. “Aegon, meet your cousin, Quentyn Martell.” The introduction made another thought dawn on Daenerys. She immediately realised who Dorne was likely to back if she was to end up in disagreement with Aegon. Her nephew had both Targaryen and Martell blood in his veins, he could have children to secure their future and he was a man. The more she thought about this issue, the more worries and problems seemed to pile up for her. “He wishes to speak with me another place than here. I expect you wish for me to stay?” This remark was directed at Quentyn, her eyes full of determination to stay right where she was, no matter what his retort might be. There were no one around them to eavesdrop on them. Only drunken men at the bar who was more preoccupied with their ale, though they sometimes looked over and winked at her. Dany looked between the two men before letting her gaze lock on the window close to them, her mind was working overtime turning out different scenarios how her nephew’s return might affect her and how the Martells would take the news of one of Elia’s children still being alive, another part of her wondered if they already knew and she had been played for a fool.

[aegon-targ-blog]

While Daenerys introduced him to the man, whose name was Quentyn, Aegon felt, that the woman seemed more relieved. As much as he wanted to talk to her privately, this was apparently impossible. They had to speak in that tavern, that he, for some strange reason, did not trust. Getting his head up, high enough, so both of them could see his eyes, he said in a calm voice, to mask his nervous thoughts. “Alright. We will not leave.” He said, shifting his eyes between her, and the newly arrived man. “We will stay here and we will talk.” Obviously, to win her trust, he needed to be patient. He understood that. Many people have tried to kill him and do him harm, while he was growing up in Essos, he had no second doubts that it was the same case with her.

The arrival of the Dornish prince, Quentyn Martell, only brought more thoughts in Aegon’s mind. He knew that the Martells were on their side, after all, Dorne had been supportive to the Targaryens from a very long time. Seeing that his aunt had a Martell for a companion answered a lot of questions about her surviving the exiling. Seeing her fierce side now, he did not have doubts that she would had survived without them as well. Winning her trust became even more important, now that Aegon saw for sure that the Martells supported them. His gender and mother put him in a possibly higher place than her, though, but that was not an option for him. He did not want Daenerys as an enemy.

“What is it that you want to know about me?” He was prepared for the possible armada of questions that would come in his way, mainly from Daenerys, or so he thought. Aegon rested his back, softening his face, hiding all those second doubts in him, while shifting his sights between the two at a slow pace.

[quentynxmartell]

Cousin. The word hung heavily in the air between them. Quentyn had only been a little boy when Roberts Rebellion had taken place, but he’d been safely tucked away in Sunspear and had little memory of it. However, he did remember the day when news came of Elia, Rhaenys and Aegon’s murders. He hadn’t understood the cold anger that his father had slipped into, or why from that point on the keep seemed so much darker and subdued. Mellario had spent most of her time entertaining Quentyn and Arianne, distracting them from the true horrors yet to be revealed. The prince remembered most of all the moment Doran had crouched before his children and told them that their loving aunt and sweet babes had died. It was all the information they were given, and it took years for Quentyn to discover that they’d been murdered, and even longer still to find out the horrific truth of their untimely end.

In his mind Quentyn had buried Elia and her children years ago, reassured that she’d found some semblance of peace after being humiliated by Rhaegar and tormented by Aerys. But now this man sat before him, a man Daenerys claimed to be his long dead nephew. Why she seemed to fully believe this supposed Aegon was beyond the Dornish prince. Had she been acquainted with him before this night? If so, when and why had she kept it a secret. “Curious,” Quentyn replied after a minute. “Aegon’s been dead for many years. I don’t see why he’d be sitting here now. ‘The Mountain bashed the poor babe’s head against a wall’ I believe is what I was told.” The prince folded his hand on the table and leaned forward, ever the cautious skeptic. “Why should I believe you? What proof do you have that Elia Martell was your mother? If you are who you say you are, it seems rather suspicious that you wouldn’t seek out your Dornish family.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

Her eyes darkened when the first words left his mouth. Her eyes burned with dark fire as she almost dared him to finish the sentence currently streaming from him. The short pause in his words betrayed what he was initially going to say. Dany simply raised an eyebrow at his words, she was far from impressed. “Ours? The Vale was given to the Mother of Dragons, not the Targaryen dynasty. It belongs to me as do my dragons, I am their mother and the very reason why they were brought back into the world.” She knew her words were harsh but she needed for him to understand her position. She had been a ruling Queen before her downfall, she did not intend to simply step down and let her nephew take over. “You may be of my blood, Aegon, but you are a stranger to me. I do not trust you simply because we share the same name. If you want my trust and respect, you will have to earn it the same way everyone else does - through loyalty.” Daenerys had been betrayed too many times to have faith in others purely based on something as insignificant as a name. She had no idea where he had been, who had raised him, how he had been trained. Simply, she did not know him.

After his initial words, her expression grew softer but the warning still hung in the air and her eyes were still hard as stone. “I have no wish to see us on opposite sides, nephew, or to see you dead. Until today, I thought I was the last Targaryen alive. I find relief in being proven wrong.” Daenerys had often thought about how her entire family line would perish after her death. She considered naming Aegon her heir, right then and there, but she thought it would be best to see what this other Targaryen was made of. She might be wary of this new male family member and how he might try and claim what was rightfully hers, at least in her mind, but at least there was a chance that the Targaryen name could live on.

[aegon-targ-blog]

@quentynxmartell

Daenerys’ reaction to his words were logical. And even if the throne was given to her, this did not meant he did not have even a little claim to it, he thought. Rhaegar has left it to him and that was a fact, but Aegon did not saw anything wrong in the Targaryen dynasty ruling together, in fact it would increase the odds of victory. As he finished his cup of wine while maintaining a straight face, he made another proposal. “We indeed are strangers to one another, you are correct. If you wish to know of my past and intentions, I would be glad to share.” He did not wish to talk about anything whatsoever in this tavern, surely filled with many spies of enemies. He looked at her and continued. “In order to do that, we need to move somewhere safer, as you surely know. Many people want us gone.” 

Thoughts of doubt entered Aegon’s mind about his words earlier in the conversation. Did I make stuff only worse? Daenerys would certainly not be an easy ally to negotiate with, but in times like this, the last two Targaryens needed to stick together, he thought. “If you have any ideas of where our conversation may happen, I am ready to listen.”As he said that, the tavern door opened and he heard footsteps getting louder and louder behind his back. The footsteps stopped for a couple of seconds, as like the unseen stranger was left in a surprise for a moment. The next thing Aegon knew was that a man was standing on the chair next to Daenerys. And who may he be?

[quentynxmartell]

The journey from Casterly Rock-- No, he silently corrected himself. It was Stags Rock now, or was it Stags Keep? Regardless of what it had been named, the journey from there to the tavern they’d decided to rest at had been long, quiet and dull. Neither Quentyn nor Daenerys had made much attempt in the way of conversation so the prince entertained himself with his own thoughts as they chased the setting sun over the horizon.

It was dark when they arrived at the tavern, and Quentyn was tired. He was well accustomed to horse riding, but even he felt uncomfortable after an extended period of time. The prince left Daenerys to wander inside while he took both their horses by the reigns and led them behind the building where a decently sized stable stood. A rotund elderly man emerged as he approached. It was dark and the only sources of light came from the moon and some lanterns, but it was reasonable to assume this man owned the tavern. “You here for a room then?” He called.

“Two actually, if you have them.” Quentyn preferred not to use his title to his advantage lest it call attention to him and Daenerys but it was late and the next tavern was hours away so he would reveal his identity to this man if need be. “Aye, there’s room for two of ye. Is that all you’ll be wantin’?” The prince lead the horses into the stable. “No, I’ll want oats and water for the horses and food and wine for myself and my companion.” He busied himself with taking their bags and the saddles off of the horses. “O’ course. Gimme here those bags. Rooms five and six are yours.” 

Quentyn nodded his thanks and watched as the tavern owner disappeared into the darkness towards the building with his and Daenerys’ belongings. The prince made sure the horses were comfortable and had access to oats and water before he too made his way across the small yard and into the tavern. There were a few people milling around, but it wasn’t what anyone would consider busy. Dany wasn’t hard to find, but what made him tense and suspicious was the fact she wasn’t alone. He quickly strode across the room and took a seat beside Daenerys. However, Quentyn’s full attention was on the man opposite them. He allowed the heavy silence to stretch before them until it was almost uncomfortable. “And who might you be?”

[themotherdragon-archive]

Daenerys regretted immediately not finding a mirror and inspect the damage. All her life the bruises had been easily noticeable because of her light skin. As he removed her hand from her cheek, she took notice of his lack of shirt but being with the Dothraki, she took no offense to it. She briefly thought of the ladies at the feast, most of them would probably have giggled and blushed at the sight. “I apologize for the intrusion.” She almost wanted to lie because of the shame of it but the confrontation was important. “Hardyng,” she answered and walked past of him into his room. She took a moment to look around before turning to him again. She gestured for him to close the door so they could talk in peace. “He recognized me. Quentyn, he knew I have been hiding in Dorne.” The bruise still stung her cheek, but she was more interested in keeping her eyes on the Dornish prince. Dany knew her companion hated Harrold Hardyng almost as much as she did, she knew this would anger him, she could already hear it in his voice. “I know you are angry. It may help to know that I was the one to strike him first.”

She briefly tore her eyes away from Quentyn and looked around his room. She saw the fruit and bread she had sent to his room. Daenerys knew she whould apologize, she had sneaked away knowing he would not be happy about it. He worried about her often, now she only proved him right in his worries. It was hard for her to admit her mistakes, her pride suffered from the blows that left. The apology was right on her tongue but instead, other words flooded out. “He told me something of value about the dragons, though.” It had been worth the strike and the dangerous position that she had put herself in. “He has not completely broken all of their wills. Rhaegal is still putting up a fight.” She said all of this in hopes that he would not be disappointed in her. She hated that more than anger. Anger she could deal with, disappointment was more difficult especially when it came from someone she cared about. She looked up again and found his dark ones with her own violet hues.

[quentynxmartell]

He blamed himself, if truth be told. Quentyn had one objective of legitimate importance and that was to keep Daenerys safe, yet he had lost sight of her and she’d been cornered by their biggest enemy. The prince recalled the night in question after she had wrapped up their conversation and walked away, promising not to go far. Whether Dany had kept the promise or not was unknown to him, but either way he had lost her among the crowd before long. Quentyn had searched everywhere he could think of and had managed not to become frantic but it had been a while before the two had reunited. Now that he thought about it, Daenerys had seemed different, distracted or nervous perhaps, but he hadn’t put much consideration behind the reason and put it down to the stress of having to keep up a cover whilst surrounded by numerous people who’d happily see her dead. Quentyn pushed the door closed with a satisfying bang at her gesture. The prince had yet to say anything, and perhaps that was for the best. Most of his concentration was going into keeping a tight reign on his fiery Dornish temper and stopping his searing anger from exploding. He’d happily kill Hardyng right in that moment but there was no immediately apparent release for his fury. “I don’t care that you struck him first.” Actually, that was a lie. He did care. Hitting Harrold when she was at such a vunerable disadvantage was a foolish move on Daenerys’ part. Quentyn closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “For future reference, perhaps it would be best if you didn’t provoke our enemy when you have no means of protecting yourself.”

His anger was not abating, but every minute that passed made it a tiny bit easier to control. Quentyn busied himself with putting his boots on and pointedly refusing to look at Daenerys. He knew that he often appeared overbearing or incapable of giving her space, but couldn’t she see that it was for her own good, for her protection? The prince could be doing literally anything other than keeping her safe. He had no real obligation to the deposed Dragon Queen, just his loyalty and oath. “Think, Daenerys. If Rhaegal was truly putting up a fight, would Hardyng be alive to tell you so? What man goes up against a dragon putting up a fight and lives to tell the tale?” Quentyn couldn’t bring himself to allow a sliver of hope to bloom, not when the information she spoke of came directly from the usurper’s mouth. It would be a cold day in DOrne before he believed a word that came out of that man’s mouth. “You were the one who wanted to go the the event in Casterly Rock. I ask so little of you, yet you refuse to comply even when it is for your own protection. I truly do not understand you sometimes.”

[themotherdragon-archive]

@quentynxmartell

When she had briefly seen Quentyn the night of the feast after running into several people who all had seen her eyes, it had been dark when they rode back to the nearby tavern where they were staying. She had quickly excused herself with being tired before they could have a proper talk. Daenerys barely slept the entire night, her mind ran wild with thoughts and her cheek still throbbed terribly from the strike the King of the Vale had delivered as retaliation for her own slap. She saw daylight stream in through the windows and immediately proceeded to get dressed, she did not bother waiting for the servants to aid her. She slipped on a blue dress fit for horseback since they would be travelling all day. She hastily washed her face before going down to the bar and order some bread and fruit to be delivered to Quentyn’s room for breakfast. There was much to discuss before embarking on their journey, there was the invitation to him from the Rose Queen, the run-in with the Lord Commander about business at the wall - and her confrontation with Harrold Hardyng. Daenerys feared Quentyn would be angry about her sneaking away, but she had only intended to catch her breath in peace, how was she to know he would find her and then recognise her?

She went back up the stairs and found the room he was staying in. A part of her felt nervous but she quickly pulled herself together and knocked on the door. Without a mirror in her room, she had failed to ignore the bruise which marked her left cheek. Daenerys could feel it throb still but was blissfully unaware of why the inn-keeper had looked at her intently and asking if she was alright. When the door opened, she smiled at the sight of him but immediately regretted it as the pain only worsened. She brought her hand to her cheek in confusion and looked up into the dark eyes in front of her.

[quentynxmartell]

As a child, Quentyn Martell slept so heavily that a maid had once thought death had taken him in the night, for her delicate shaking had done nothing to rouse him from his slumber. It was a particular trait that he had worked very hard on changing since Daenerys was ousted from the Vale because on any given night the Dragon Queen’s survival could have hinged on the prince’s ability to awaken quickly. Thankfully, no one have ever attacked them in the night, but Quentyn had managed to turn himself into a light enough sleeper that a mere knock at the door could rouse him. Such was the case on that particular morning. With a groan, he rolled off of the straw mattress and kicked his shirt and doublet out of the way as he walked to the door. Another knock rattled the frame just as the prince wrenched the wooden door open. The tavern worker took a step back in surprise but quickly cleared her throat and regained her professionalism. She held out the tray laden with a generous chunk of bread and a bowl of haphazardly chopped fruit. “Courtesy of your companion, Ser.” Daenerys. So she had already risen and started her day.

Quentyn took the tray from the woman in front of her and muttered a ‘thank you’, but instead of going on her way, she picked up a bucket at her feet and pushed past him into the room. “Excuse me, I don’t--” The woman waved a dismissive hand as she poured some of the water that was in the bucket into the basin on the other side of the room. “For you to wash, if you want.” Quentyn said nothing, and waited until she’d left the room before sitting cross-legged on the bed and devouring his breakfast. The prince had scarcely chewed his last piece of apple before he heard another knock on the door. Assuming the tavern worker had returned, he opened the door with the intent of shooing her away, but the words died in his mouth upon seeing Daenerys standing there looking noticeably different than she had the night before. With a frown, he reached forward and moved her hand from her cheek and spoke in a low dangerous tone. “Who did this to you?”

[quentynxmartell]

event ||

[themotherdragon-archive]

The thought of her dragons being locked up somewhere unknown to them worried her. She had been forced to chain them up once, she knew how it affected them and she did not trust Hardyng to take care of them. She doubted that he would harm them, they were too valuable to him, but it still did not mean he treated them well. His plan made sense, it was the smart move to make, but that did not do anything to quench her dislike for the man who hurried to Harrold’s side after he stole her throne. She had thought about Baelish for a brief moment, she had hoped no one saw the possibility and she could simply ignore it, but Quentyn had always been smart, sometimes smarter than she would like.

Another sigh escaped her lips, she knew it had been unfair to say. Quentyn had never asked such a thing of her, he would never. “I know you would not.” She nodded solemnly at his next statement. Daenerys had expected to meet his father at some point. After all, she remembered the contract he had shown her once upon a time. His father had been to one to send him over the sea to her. “I do not mind being sized up. You have given me asylum in Dorne, the least I can do is meet with your father. He also brought me you and your council has always been dear to me. I have much to thank him for.” She would play the game of politics with Doran Martell. He was the best chance of an alliance. 

She watched as his lips pressed against her palm. His touch was soft and gentle just as it always was. Daenerys relied much on the Dornish prince and his council, he was always there to support her despite their history. She closed her eyes for a moment after all the words had been spoken. If he thought it wise to speak to Littlefinger, maybe that would be the best plan of action. She opened them again and met his dark eyes with her lilac ones. “Write to Baelish but be careful, Quentyn. You know how to deal with snakes but he is by far the most slippery and venomous one.” She realised that he already knew that, but she still felt the need to warn him. “You will refuse to meet him in the Vale or anywhere close to it. I do not want to see you dead. Make sure that I do not have to.” She squeezed his hand in a moment of feeling before drawing her hand from his and her eyes from his gaze.

[quentynxmartell]

“I know Baelish likes to manipulate and play games, I’ll control the meeting to the best of my ability.” Interacting with Littlefinger at all gave Quentyn a headache. He rarely knew where the man stood, his intentions and goals were a mystery. It was questionable whether or not he had a shred of loyalty to anyone other than himself. Yet the prince had to get him on their side. Convince him somehow that feeding them information on the location of Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal was in his best interests also, even though Quentyn had next to nothing to offer in return. His mouth twitched with a smile. “I did not know my life held so much value to you.” He suspected it was because he was one of the few dedicated allies she had left, someone who’s loyalty had proved time and time again to be trustworthy and unbreakable. If he had died while she ruled the Vale and still had her dragons, would Daenerys care that much if he died? Sometimes the prince thought he knew the answer with certainty, other times he was filled with doubt.

Quentyn walked away from Daenerys towards the bench a few meters away from them and sat down. It felt nice to be off his feet for a while, it felt like he’d been standing for hours. With hands braced on his knees, the prince stared intently at his Queen, though never looked her directly in the eye. The darkened hair did nothing to dampen her otherworldy beauty.

[rezasand-blog]

🐍 ▌ QUENTYN

Loreza’s eyes widened and she took a step away. She knew well that, if Doran were to here of this, she would surely reap the consequences of her actions yet again. Keeping her collected composure, she pulled her hands back from him. ❝And yet I did not see you at Trystane’s wedding. It is truly a shame, my cousin, for we could have had even more fun there.❞ As Trystane broke her heart into many small pieces.

[quentynxmartell]

Ah, so it appeared that Quentyn’s assumption had been correct. He definitely felt more comfortable now that Loreza had moved away, and he let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “Just because you didn’t see me at the wedding does not mean I wasn’t there, cousin.” It felt odd to call her cousin, even though he was not a stranger to the Sand Snakes. Well, most of them. Nymeria and Tyene and Obara and the others had been little girls when he left for Yronwood. Quentyn could even still remember when some of them were born.

[nermosch-blog]