The Bastard Queen

The Many Sides Of Oberyn Martell

It had been just after their meeting when Lord Tywin and Varys had left the council chambers, that a squire had informed the remaining three men of the Prince's arrival.

"Eddard, make sure Prince Oberyn's retinue find their way to their rooms, and bring the Prince to me would you?" Rhaegar sighed, answering absent mindfully as he looked over the various papers spread across the table.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, I'm afraid the Prince is not in the Keep." The squire spoke before Eddard had a chance to leave.

"Pray tell, boy, why is that?" Rhaegar stood from the table, staring down the child in frustration.

"Ser Dalt had told me the Prince and his paramour arrived before them, most likely in the late hours of the night."

"And do you know where Prince Oberyn might be?" Ned asked, his eyes more kind to the boy.

The question was not one that needed answering, both the King and Ser Manfrey had known exactly where the infamous Red Viper would be.

"That's no matter, I shall find our late Prince. Eddard, make sure the Dornishmen are in acceptable conditions, make them aware of the feast I'll be holding tonight." He instructed, dismissing the squire offhandedly. "Barristan, fetch the Princess, make sure she's dressed for the occasion. I'll be back within the hour, and with our guest." He caught the King's guard before making his own exit from the room.

Rhaegar had two white cloaks on his tail as he made his way through the Red Keep and down onto the city streets. His feet making a steady and sure path towards the Street of Silks, to the brothel owned by a man he knew better than to trust.

The smell had hit him before he entered the building; perfumes, spiced wine, and carnal sweat. His only pleasure being that Tywin had sent Littlefinger out of some financial inquires; Rhaegar had grown to find the man's presence offsetting.

He need only listen for the unmistakable drawl of the Dornish tongue to locate the group. Having told his men to wait for him outside the whore house, Rhaegar slid through sheer, silken curtains.

"I had hoped the rumors had been unfound." He stated announcing his presence. The orgy that had met him was two-three; Oberyn being entertained by Petyr's most requested male and two whores were transfixed on the woman Rhaegar assumed the Prince's paramour.

All three of the paid bedfellows had made their leave after noticing and bowing to their sovereign, garments thrown on in haste. This Sand woman, if he remembered correctly, simply smiled at him as sly as a fox, "My King, I would be honored if you join us."

"I'm sure it would." Rhaegar remarked steel eyed, walking further into the room only after affirming Oberyn had his breeches on. "I think it would be best if you left us, we have business. Though I'm sure you're charming."

Ellaria kept her smirk as she slinked out of the room, only doing so after silent approval from her lover.

"What rumors? That people are keeping secrets from you? Or that you need better guards?" Oberyn replied to Rhaegar's first remark, lazily throwing on a silken shirt.

"The capital always keeps its secrets and my guards could always do better, these are facts I'm sure you're aware of. I was referring to how good a profit Baelish makes off of buggery." Rhaegar answered pointedly.

"A good thing I do not seek your approval." The older of the two smiled, the viper eyes observing the King as if he were an enemy.

Rhaegar watched as the once exiled knight poured himself a goblet of Dornish Red. "You also thought it to be a good idea to bring your... paramour to court, when you will wed my daughter. You don't think that an offense?" Thinking him too uncouth in his uncaring demeanor towards the reputation of the royal house.