Bringing the Dawn

LXX.

Arianne Nymeros-Martell

Shipbreaker's Bay overlooking Storm's End, 301 AC

She was seated on the edge of the stony beach, with her shoes off and toes dipped in the cool water of Shipbreaker's Bay. How long she'd been doing so was difficult to say, but there wasn't much else for her to do. Ser Rolly had remained behind to guard her back but everyone else had charged ahead along the coast towards Storm's End.

At least she wasn't alone. Looking to her right to see Tyene doing the same as she was but also splashing her fingers in the cool water too. Oberyn had been a mixture of furious and proud when she had appeared, and she wasn't alone either. Nymeria and Obara riding with the others towards the castle Aegon was attempting to take which would ensure he would have better than a tenuous hold. If only Sarella were here too, at least then they could have something to talk about as she had been hiding as a boy in Oldtown for years now. A part of Arianne wished to see the faces of the grey rats when they realised that women were knowledgeable and weren't simply just something to be carried prettily on a mans arm or for birthing babes.

It would happen some day, she knew. For the time being however, she was pleased to drink moon tea the morning after herself and Aegon spent a night and he didn't hold it against her either. No one else was aware other than Tyene now who had wiggled it out of her a couple of hours before. Her promiscuities weren't a secret, it was one of many reasons Lord Jon despised her after all, and her father was willing to ignore such a thing so long as she had no proof of such. Meaning she could brew it herself and brew it she did. A sudden splash of water her way broke Arianne from her thoughts as she turned to Tyene and glared, before proceeding to scoop as much up as she could and throwing it towards her pale golden-haired cousin.

"Ari!"

She yelped and tried to run but she was stopped when she grabbed her leg and pulled it back just enough that she would topple backwards. Taking great amusement as she disappeared into the shallows and came up a few seconds later spluttering out salt water. It was rare to have moments like this again, especially outside of Dorne. They done this often with each other in the Water Gardens, recalling how little Elia had helped Nym in taking out Sarella on one of her rare visits back from her studies in the Citadel. It reminded her of their childhood, something that was so far away now and it hurt it would never be the same again.

It may have been childish to do so given what was happening across the bay. Not that they could see anything from the fog coming from the waves that were battering the opposite side of the coast currently. It wasn't a surprise it was called Shipbreaker's Bay. There had to be thousands of ships on the bed of the sea and countless bodies. They were still trying to piece together the political climate currently in place but to do so they would need loyal people behind them who knew or were a part of it. Something they currently did not have. Ser Torghen was good for information on the King, but they'd not communicated since he had been sent to Claw Isle which was before the claim had even been made.

What they did find out however was that Storm's End was being held by the bastard son of Robert Baratheon. Someone that was inconsequential in their plots. Mayhaps they could even take him alive and marry him to one of her cousins to tie the Stormland's to Dorne somewhat. It was something to be discussed if they succeeded in taking the castle. All the waiting was beginning to get to her, wishing to find a steed and charge towards the castle in question. Yet even Arianne knew that would be futile.

And so she stayed. And watched. And waited.

Night was beginning to fall when she heard the sound of galloping hooves. Standing up from where she was as did Tyene whose hair was now a frizzy mess from being soaked in the salty sea water. A few horses appearing from the dimness and relief washing through her at seeing both her uncle and husband at the front. Aegon had a noticeable gash on his cheek but it wasn't deep enough to pose any problems. Not being able to stop her legs from running his way and practically leaping on him. His arms wrapping around her waist before giving her a triumphant grin.