The Legacy

Part 28

Viserra watched as the two people she loved were getting along so well. She knew Oberyn would be kind and welcoming towards Sansa. Where Sansa would be ever so polite and proper. What she did not expect was the pain settled in her own heart.

She recognized Sansa instantly, but this was no longer the small pup she left behind. Viserra felt herself unable to ignore how much Sansa had grown, whether by time or by force. Sansa was quiet unless spoken too, and hesitant to express herself. She was always a quiet child, unless it involved her siblings, but now it felt as if Sansa had withdrawn and hardened.

"Don't you think my love?" Oberyn held Viserra's hand close to his chest.

"Think what?" Viserra mentally shook off her thoughts and tried to piece together the conversation she was absent from.

"That Sansa would love Dorne" Oberyn watched Viserra's expression as it slowly returned to from her thoughts. He kissed her hand as to tell her he knew her thoughts had taken over again.

"You would pup" Viserra smiled as she picked up her wine and took a sip. "Don't let the tales of the desert fool you, there are beautiful oases. We will take you when we leave."

"I would like to see it, but..." Sansa started thought and decided not to finish it.

"But what?" Viserra asked confused.

"I would have to ask my husband if it was alright" Sansa answered quietly. Viserra looked confused as if Sansa spoke in a different language.

"Tyrion doesn't own you." Viserra stated. "If you wish to go you may, and if he tries to hold you then he may deal with me"

"Us" Oberyn kissed Viserra's hand and looked reassuring to Sansa. A small smile pulled at the corner of Sansa's lips. This was the Serra she remembered.

"Thank you. It's getting late, I should go" Sansa stood up as Viserra and Oberyn followed. The two Starks embraced each other tightly and said goodbye. Oberyn had offered to accompany her to her quarters, leaving Viserra alone. 

A few seconds had barely passed when she heard a knock at the door. With her dagger at her hip she opened the door to reveal the person she had been waiting for.

"Hello my dear" Varys' voice was accompanied by a smile. "May I come in?" Viserra didn't answer and simply stepped aside.

"I was wondering when you crawl yourself away from your web to see me" Viserra followed him to the seating area she just left. 

"I thought it necessary to allow some time for your reunion" Varys smiled and folded his hands on his lap. "How is sweet Sansa? I expect she's delighted at your return"

"She's different" Viserra sat across from Varys. "What happened?" her eyes narrowed at the end of the question.

"Many things" the hint of sympathy came through his words. "Things that cannot be changed, unlike the times we are currently in."

"And. There. It. Is." Viserra spaced out her words and continued. "What is the point of this visit Lord Varys?" Viserra didn't need to know more to understand what he meant. 

"Just a simple hello from an old friend, it's not often when they rise from the dead" The door opened in that moment and Oberyn stepped in assessing the situation. 

"Prince Oberyn" Varys stood up and greeted the red viper. 

"Lord Varys" Oberyn grumbled his greeting walking over to Viserra. "To what do we owe this late night visit? Perhaps you care to join us tonight in bed" Oberyn stood behind her possessively wrap his arm around Viserra's waist and kissed her neck softly.

"While I am honored to receive an invitation I'm afraid I must decline." Varys turn to face the door. "It is good to see you again Viserra." Viserra said nothing as Varys left just as quickly as he appeared. 

Viserra pulled away from her lover and sat down in front of the vanity. She had dismissed her handmaidens for the night and began to unravel her plait.

"I was unaware how close you and the spider were." Oberyn had brought wine to his lips and continued. "Interesting he would visit so late at night knowing there are many eyes on us" Viserra continued to brush through her hair with an ornate comb. She heard the cup being placed on the table and footsteps approaching her. Viserra met his gaze through the reflection. He slid his hand onto her shoulder. "Are you going to tell me what bothers you or do I have to force it out of you?" His hand snaked itself under her chin and lifted her head so now she looked up at him. He noticed the slight reddening of her eyes and tears beginning to form into the corners.  His expression softened as her face remained as a stone. The only hint of any emotion was the betrayal her eyes gave. Oberyn pulled her up into his arms and laid her head against his chest. "Do you not trust her?" Viserra felt the vibrations through his chest

"Of course I do"

"Then why the tears?" He pulled her away to look at her face "Then not prepare her for what is to come?" Oberyn looked into the violet eyes he adored.

"Because she doesn't need to know in order for us to be successful" Serra still refusing to acknowledge the emotions she was feeling. "I will tell her when it is necessary"

"You think she is still the child from those years ago."

"She is still a child" Viserra's tone was harsh.

"You still want her to be a child, that is different my love." Viserra pulled out of his grasp and walked over to their bed and Oberyn exasperated. "I know you still hold on to the guilt, Serra. The guilt you are trying to ignore at this very moment"

"Yes I do" Viserra ripped the cover off of the bed and adjusted the pillows "for the rest of my life, I will never be free of it" Oberyn watched with his arms crossed. "You saw her tonight! She has been broken. She has become a some sort of pet to the Lannisters. And that is my fault, I left her alone, I failed her.  I failed Robb. I failed Arya and Bran and Ricken. I failed my uncle. Everyone I have ever cared about I have failed and for that I don't deserve happiness or peace." Viserra was too emotional to sleep now. She stared her lover down and waited for him to respond. Oberyn started walking to the bed and sat down next to where she stood. His hand reached for hers and brought it to his lips before he met her gaze.

"You hold on to guilt that is not yours" Oberyn started.

"It is mine-" Viserra was interrupted.

"You did not fail her, you did not fail anyone." Oberyn continued, "Everything that has happened has been out of your control. You died trying to take Sansa away from this place." Viserra sat next to him. Oberyn pulled her down so her head was on his lap and she looked up to him. "You gave your life in service for the ones you love and that is why you will never fail them" He brush her hair away from her face. He watched as her face relaxed and heard his words. The same words he has repeated in those rare moments. Oberyn knew how strong Viserra was but she had carried so much for so long. He had become the one to help build her back up and carry the load.

Viserra released a deep sigh and in that breath he knew she had let go a little of her guilt. From the moment he knew he loved her, he vowed to bring her only peace. The two found themselves wrapped in each other for the rest of the night until the day's events exhausted them.