Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

Chapter Twenty-Five: Happy Name Day

Climbing the steps to the royal box with Herit and Sarella at her side, Amara could not believe that she was already celebrating her Name Day; it was hard to believe that another year had passed in her life and so much had happened in such a short space of time. 

The celebrations that Doran had organised for her were just what she needed to take her mind off her problems; any sort of distraction was welcome while she worked out her next move. 

For her first Name Day as a member of the royal family, a tourney had been thrown in her honour; with many signing up to show off their skills in front of the royal family. 

"Happy Name Day," Doran greeted with a nod of his head when Amara reached the top of the stairs, she was the guest of honour and he was most pleased to see her make it. 

There were many reasons for them to celebrate and Doran wished to make the most of the peace at court before things started to fall apart; he had no doubts that the situation with Amara and his brother was far from over. 

"I am sure that today will be a most entertaining," Doran continued knowing that not only had his brother signed up for several of the events today but so had a couple of the Sandsnakes. 

All wanting to show off their skills in the arena and Doran had a feeling that Oberyn wished to impress his wife; there was nothing that got the blood pumping than watching a good tourney. 

"Your father seems pleased," Amara noted taking a seat beside Trystane, she had not seen his father like this before and she knew that the pressing state of her marriage was something that had played on his mind a lot as of late. 

Whether it be through Oberyn's actions or her own, it seemed that Doran had quite a bit riding on this marriage being a success especially given how his own marriage had worked out. 

"My siblings are to return from Norvos where they have been visiting my mother," Trystane stated softly, he couldn't remember the last time that he had seen his mother but he knew she had struggled with life here in Dorne and what she had expected things to be like. 

Despite the fact that they were separated, it was no secret that his mother had hoped to gain full custody of him and his siblings so that they might come and live with her in Norvos.

"I am sure he has missed them greatly," Amara responded trying to recall what she had heard of Trystane's younger siblings, they had not been in Dorne for her wedding nor did she think they had been in Dorne for the last couple of years. 

Arianne and Quentyn had gone to visit their mother in Norvos shortly after the breakdown of their parents marriage wanting to make sure that she was comfortable there and happy. 

"As have I, things are quiet here now and I am sure Quentyn had much to share about his travels," Trystane murmured with a frown, while he had missed his younger brother, he wasn't sure what to expect when his sister returned. 

Arianne had been close with Elia and now that Elia had been banished from court to Fairmarsh for her actions it would likely not go down well with his sister. 

The last thing that Trystane wanted was for Arianne to cause trouble here, he had worried that his main issue might be his Baratheon engagement but her disliking Amara could be worse. 

It had been his father that had stressed how important the marriage between Oberyn and Amara was; although he would not reveal the reasons why it was important. 

Doran worried enough that Oberyn's stubborn behaviour had been damaging enough to the situation; there was no telling what they would have to deal with, if Arianne decided to pick up where Elia had left off.