61 GOT : Chapter 61

( Gerris )

Never did Gerris think that one day, the outline of the walls of the Shadow City and the distinct shape of the Sandship in the distance would be a welcome sight to him.

His home, he always thought, was Yoricksbank, or Yronwood. The two mighty fortresses guarding both the Boneway and the Greatwater Rush, and the places where he had spent nearly all of his life. And to be fair, these places would always mean home to him.

But things had changed drastically. Quentyn had changed drastically. And when he and his friends had come to Sunspear, a year ago, he would never have imagined the changes that it would entail.

With Quentyn becoming heir to Dorne, he had, despite not doing anything more than staying loyal to his friends, sent house Drinkwater from a minor house sworn to Yronwood, to an important house with a bigger say in the decision-making of Dorne than a lot of great houses.

And no day was more telling of this than today, where he had been sent back to Sunspear with Gulian, for both of them to govern the city in Quentyn's stead. Gulian would have the official titles, while Gerris would be the enforcer, so to speak. 

A funny reversal of roles, since usually, Gerris was the brains, and either Cletus or Arch were the enforcers. However, he did not mind such a role, especially when it gave him less responsibilities and all the annoying politics of eastern Dorne. 

These were likely the reason Quentyn chose Gulian for the role of governor of Sunspear over him.

Therefore, he would mostly be in charge of handling the "tougher" cases, and thin out what Quentyn referred to as the "annoying cases", which in basic terms, meant princess Arianne's remaining supporters, or gods forbid, those who put prince Doran above all else.

Needless to say, after Quentyn's stunt with Lorch, there weren't many of both. 

In one action, Quentyn had essentially put Dorne at his feet, especially when details of how Lorch's demise was carried out, and the proof of Lorch's death reached Ghost Hill with Lucian Toland carrying the remains there, which would then be transported to Sunspear. 

There, his ashes would be scattered to the winds at sea, and his garbs and arms be placed in Sunspear, in the halls of the vanquished, where a good number of arms and sigils already stood. 

His skull, though, would be kept by Quentyn in his solar, where it would serve as a reminder of "his" feat and a constant reminder to the Dornish that if Rhaenys was avenged by fifty of their countrymen, it was their prince that did the deed.

A political masterstroke on all counts.

Indeed, he only had to spend a few moments in Sunspear's streets to see how the event had marked the people. In the short walk between the harbor and the fortress, he had received three bunch of flowers, six kisses, two offers to take things further, and a long walk of cheers. More than that, though, was the whispers and talks that he'd heard on his short walk. 

Whenever someone would mention "the prince", they would mean Quentyn every single time. No doubt that his friend would have a hard time even having a moment's respite in Skyreach, whom he'd reached a day or two before.

There was no longer a difference between "the prince in Sunspear" and "the prince in the Gardens", there only were "the prince" and "the father". 

The fact that Prince Doran's title had disappeared entirely was telling. The people weren't really forgiving of the match to Myrcella and Dorne's armies potentially entering the war on the side of the Lannisters.

All of this led to his confrontation with the other prince, Oberyn Martell, in the midst of Sunspear's halls. Since Gulian had to go through the process of taking control of Sunspear immediately, the task of facing the red viper went on Gerris' shoulders.

To anyone else, the red viper would've been an intimidating sight. Long hair, clean face, piercing viper eyes and straight demeanour. But Gerris was not one to be intimidated easily. He sat there, unflinching, waiting for the prince to say the first words.

It seemed like the red viper was also waiting for him to say something. Just like his namesake, he was silently waiting for Gerris to speak so that he'd be able to strike him then. As such, Gerris just sat on one of the chairs in the prince's solar, admiring the various furniture around the room, some of which came from as far as Volantis and Qarth.

Seeing that Gerris wasn't going to buy into his little game, the prince finally spoke.

"Let me get this straight, Drinkwater." He growled. "You are confirming that my nephew killed Lorch by having him stabbed two hundred times by various Dornishmen, then slit his throat and sent us the bones, ashes and personal effects, while keeping the skull for himself. 

Then you also confirm to me that my second daughter is pregnant and that the child is also my nephew's. Is that correct?"

"That's about it, prince Oberyn." Gerris shrugged nonchalantly. If the viper thought that he could intimidate him, he was very much mistaken.

The red viper stared into his eyes for a brief moment. Gerris held the stare, but didn't glare back. There was no point in escalating an already tense moment, and although it would have been fun, he clearly wasn't in the mood. Besides, going too far could have nasty consequences.

"I don't know whether I should hug my nephew or kill him." The prince finally let out. "I shall need to speak with him very soon, but it seems that due to his popularity, I should hold out on killing him for the moment.

Now, let us speak freely. Why are you and the Qorgyle boy here?"

"Prince Quentyn sent Ser Gulian to relieve Ser Manfrey of his duties of governor, so that he may instead role in his stead. I am here to ensure that nothing untoward happens during this exchange."

The prince stayed silent for a few moments.

"My nephew is worried about the developments here?"

This was more of a statement of fact than a question.

"I wouldn't say worried, but more unhappy. He knows certain areas have been neglected and certain houses are not playing fair with the distribution and production of medicine, glassware, rice and other crops. He sent us both to set things right."

"I see." The prince relaxed back into his chair. "Well, my nephew is still ruler of Sunspear by my brother's decree. I will have the necessary orders drafted so that you may have the easiest time possible. I, however, will not help you more than necessary. 

A non-Martell ruling Sunspear, whether in my nephew's stead or not, is not something that either me or prince Doran find very acceptable."

"With all due respect, prince Oberyn, but mismanaging prince Quentyn's work and deliberately ignoring the prince's orders and recommendations toes a very fine line with treason. Martell or not."

The prince scowled. Had Gerris taken it a little too far? In any case, he did not show any hint of worry and continued with his confident demeanour.

It seemed to work. Prince Oberyn looked like he wanted to explode, but Gerris was a tough nut to crack, and now all that the prince wanted was to get rid of him.

"Very well." The prince nodded. "You may go. Extend my regards to your wife."

For the first time since he'd entered the room, Gerris smiled.

This was the reason he was so happy to be back in Sunspear. Something that he had thought unimaginable until a few months ago. He was in love. Some would say too soon, but if Quentyn could, why not him, too?

Besides, Gerris was in love with his wife, and not another woman he'd met. Cletus would laugh at it all. Indeed, he'd always told the heir to Yronwood that should his wife not be amicable, he could just take a paramour, just like he'd eventually end up doing, since he hadn't placed many hopes into his father's choices for a match.

However, with the evolving political situation, the demands for marriage came by the dozen, and his father had finally settled on one. The Daynes of High Hermitage.

Usually, Gerris would've been intimidated by a marriage to the Darkstar's sister. However, these thoughts disappeared when he first saw her. A beautiful woman, with long, silver hair, and purple eyes.

A Valyrian beauty. Quentyn had commented.

Elinor Dayne was extremely beautiful, and a maiden on her wedding night, too. Although she definitely wasn't shy in their bed that night.

With the union consummated, they would have usually gone back to Yoricksbank or High Hermitage. However, Quentyn gave his blessing for Elinor to stay at Sunspear so that Gerris might get to know his wife better.

Elinor, for all intents and purposes, was perfect. Not even her slightly naive personality or her sometimes overblown worries would change that.

Elinor was shy in public, true, but wonderfully kind. She had an eye for the beautiful things of the world, and a gift for the needle. Her intricate works were amazing to look at, and Gerris made sure to gift her whatever she wished so that she may continue her works. 

His doublet, with the arms of house Drinkwater, had been entirely sown by her hands, and he was proud to wear it everywhere he went.

Her shyness completed his confidence astonishingly well. And besides, when they were together, she wasn't afraid of telling him anything. It's a wonder she was the Darkstar's sister. 

Elinor was Gerold's total opposite. While Gerold was arrogant, brash and cruel, Elinor was modest, kind and caring. She really was much closer to Ned than Gerold.

With Gerold's death, Elinor had only grieved for a brief period of time. It seemed their relationship wasn't strong, and Gerold mostly dismissed Elinor as no threat to him. The bastard even mocked her about her shyness a few times. Needless to say that Gerris would shed no tear for that man.

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