Dorne II

(Rhaegon's POV)

"Ah, Ser Rhaegon." Oberyn said as he sat on the large couch, "Come, sit. Drink some wine." 

I was standing in the main room where Prince Doran sat and several luxurious couches were next to him, Prince Oberyn sitting in one as his Paramour sat with him. 

I nodded, "Thank you for the hospitality, Princes." I said as I walked over and sat on a couch across from him, "Sunspear is such a beautiful abode, I regret not taking it in fully last time I was here." 

Prince Doran chuckled, "As do we." He said as he looked at me, "Now, to business, shall we?" 

"Of course." I said placing my hands on my knees

"We are aware that Westerosi customs do not align with our ways." Oberyn said, "And there may be protests about this agreement. But it is with my brother's great interest to maintain a stable relationship with the other Kingdoms." 

I looked at him, "That is true." I said, "I'm sure the Prince Sovereign of Dorne has his reasoning on why he allowed you to offer your illegitimate children instead of his eldest daughter. Unless, of course, she is betrothed already." 

Prince Oberyn chuckled, "Ah, I knew you were to bring that up." 

"You must understand, Ser Rhaegon." Prince Doran said, "The Last time we entrusted a Dornish Princess to a Targaryen...it did not end so well...." 

I looked at him, "That is true, tragic thing...." I said, "But....does that tell me that you don't care much about your own nieces, Prince Doran? Illegitimate or no, I am sure they have your love." 

"They do." He said with a serious frown

"If you're so mistrusting of betrothing a trueborn Princess to us, to me, why give me three Sands?" I asked, "It just doesn't make sense." 

"Because...." Oberyn said, "I like you." 

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh?" I said

"You're something, Rhaegon." Oberyn said as Ellaria rubbed his shoulder, "You know who you remind us of?" 

"Do tell." I said

"Aerion Targaryen." Oberyn said

"Come again?" I said

"You don't know of your own ancestor?" Prince Doran asked, "Father of Aegon III and Viserys II. Your line descends from Viserys II, which means that you come from Aerion's line....and as a result, from Daemon Targaryen's line." 

"Hm, I was told about that, yes." I said, "What does that have to do with anything?" 

"You know we are also descended from Daemon...through his daughter." Oberyn said, "You and us.....we are kin in a way..." 

This is much like what Yohn Royce told me. I mean, I guess so, but it doesn't mean much to me. Should it? 

"Hm..." I said, "Is that so?" 

"Aerion Targaryen....well, he's well documented here in Dorne..." Prince Dorne said, "Years before the Dance of the Dragons, the brutal civil war, there was a conflict in the Stepstones. Our Martell predecessors at the time had allied themselves with The Triarchy, wreaking havoc to merchant ships that sailed through the lanes that lead up to the capital. Of course, today there is no such conflict due to diplomatic alliances and well, dragons...." 

I frowned, "Were there not dragons during that time?" I asked

"There were but back then, the Triarchy were much more...ballsy." Oberyn said, "There was a conflict with House Velaryon, a fierce series of battles that Dorne had taken a part in, albeit partially. Aerion Targaryen, however, descended from the skies atop his massive bronze dragon and laid ruin to the Velaryon's enemies, Triarchy and Dornish alike. He also dismounted the beast, and cut down many men who dared oppose him." 

"The Prince at the time felt he could take Aerion." Doran said, "But failed, forcing House Martell to retreat and the Triarchy was slightly crippled, allowing House Velaryon to resume the battle without Aerion's aid. You see, it was that simple act and well, aside from the fact that he was related to our ancestor, that we documented him well. A fearsome warrior." 

I blew raspberries, "Quite the history lesson I'm getting." I said

"Did you not do your research on your Targaryen heritage?" He asked

"Do I look like a Maester? I was busy training how to wield my sword and how to shoot a bow on dragonback." I said with a slight smirk, "And I can assure you, the time paid off." 

"The point of this, Ser Rhaegon, is that there is a looming threat in the East." Doran said, "While I do apologize that I could not betroth my daughter to you, I am afraid my nieces will have to do. They are like their father, fierce warriors, and are beautiful enough for you to be satisfied." 

I shrugged, "If you say so." I said, "What threat, though? The Pretender?" 

"You know of that?" Oberyn said, "There is word of someone with a dragon's egg rallying forces to bring them here, starting with Dorne. The Triarchy intends to back them up." 

I shook my head, "The Triarchy would never." I said, "They risk dissolving a long-fought treaty with the Crown." 

"Our worries lie further East, though." Doran said, "Something much sinister. We require your word that you will aid us should you accept our deal." 

"I don't understand." I said with a frown

"Have you been to YiTi?" Oberyn asked me

"No." I said, "Only to the Dothraki Sea." 

"I have been to YiTi." Oberyn said, "In my many travels. That is how I had Nymeria, my beautiful girl, she's one of the girls I offered, by the way. Well, In that visit, I came across a terrible....group.....they wield powerful magic...powerful enough to cripple the political power of any nation. I am afraid that if they reach Westeros, things will be laid to ruin." 

I nodded, "Is that so." I said, "And that's why you want me?" 

"With you, we'll have the support of the Crown and the Stormlands." Doran said, "And by having my daughter marry someone else that doesn't align with you and your Father's political interest, we can have a more united Real to defend us from the threat." 

I frowned, "What?" 

So they want to use this deal as a first step to unite the Realm? How? What the actual hell, none of this makes sense to me. The Northerners want me to ally myself to Dorne in an attempt to unite the realm to ready ourselves for Winter. 

What is going on? The Three Eyes was also adamant about Dorne. What the hell is looming to the East? And is Winter truly just what it is? The Long Night...

Is Westeros in trouble? From the North....and The East? 

"Ah." Oberyn said as the doors opened, "Here they are..." 

"My Girls."