The Legacy

Part 37

"That was unexpected..." Oberyn blew out a breath as he and Viserra returned to their apartment.

"Was it? Or was it the kind of antics Tyrion would pull out of his ass" Viserra said as she crossed the room to lift the lid to her dragon egg. "It isn't the first time he requested a trial by combat" Viserra cradled her egg against her.

"In the Eyrie" Oberyn remembered as he pour himself some wine.

"Only this time he has no one to be his champion" Viserra placed her egg back in its place and closed the box.

"Will his brother not fight for him?" Oberyn questioned as Viserra crossed the room toward him and offered her his cup.

"Jaime and his one hand?" Viserra asked incredulously while taking a sip. "Unless Jaime also wants to fuck over Tywin, Tyrion will have to find someone else" she handed the cup back to him. "And whoever that person is would have to be willing to face whoever Cersei chooses"

"Who would she choose?"

"Think about it" Viserra said cautiously. Oberyn's jaw tightened as he thought of one potential champion. "Oberyn..." she said after he didn't respond. "No" she warned putting the cup down on the table.

"No?" his tone intense.

"We are so close" Viserra put his face in between his hands. "Things will play out as they should... allow them to" she warned.

Before Oberyn could respond they were interrupted with a knock on the door. Jovan entered in a rush.

"My prince, my lady" Jovan greeted. "I have news from Ascar"

"What news?" Viserra removed her hands from Oberyn's face and turned to her guard. The look of Jovan's face unsettled Viserra's stomach.

"The Princess..." Jovan began as the door was pushed open and someone else rushed in.

"Hello uncle, mother..." Arianne Martell said playfully as she approached the pair.

"Arianne..." Viserra warned. "You are not supposed to be here." Viserra stood her ground as Oberyn made his way to her side. "You are supposed to be in Dorne with your father."

"The situation has changed" Arianne looked toward Jovan who now stood guard in front of the closed door. Her gaze questioned Viserra who nodded.

"What changed?" Viserra asked letting her know it was safe to speak freely.

"My father..."

"What happened to Doran?" Oberyn rushed out.

"His condition has worsened." Arianne spoke softly. "The maesters are doing what they can, but..." Arianne broke her gaze for a moment and then returned them to Viserra. "We were told he have weeks at the most" Oberyn fisted hand slammed into the table knocking down several items. Viserra turned her attention to her lover.

"Oberyn" she spoke softly as she would a child. "We still have time, Doran still has time." she rubbed his arm softly. Viserra then looked toward her step daughter. "How protected is he?"

"Areo is with him at all times, Obara and Ellaria have a firm hand on everything else." Arianne looked toward her uncle.

"Good" Viserra looked at Oberyn who seemed to battle within himself. Oberyn loved his brother and he did Elia. The fear of losing his brother has plagued Oberyn since they were boys. When the alliance was first formed between the Martells and Viserra, Doran's condition was explained in full detail. To the realm he was plagued with gout and a weakness that no amount of rest could ever aid.

In reality, Doran was dying, slowly. Whatever his illness at first it pulled everything bit of strength from him. Viserra had heard before of Doran and Oberyn Martell from her uncle years ago when House Martell had sent an envoy to ask for Viserra's hand for  prince Quentyn, once she reached maidenhood. Her uncle allowed Viserra to address the envoy herself. I would rather die the in long cold hours, bare in the snow than be scorched under the Dornish sun, she believes she told the Dornish man. She remembered the exasperated sigh followed by a proud smile her uncle gave her. If she had only known how the gods had already destined her to Dorne.