Crouching Viper Hidden Dragon

Chapter 38

Golden Rose Hotel and Casino…..

Jon looked at the crowd and smiled. It was the day before the tournament of champions and he'd decided to throw a feast. All the other events were finished and he asked Lady Oleanna to help him with the celebration. He asked to use the courtyard and fountain area for the feast. It was an outdoor affair under stars in a courtyard filled lit by torches, it almost seemed magical. He figured that after the grand tournament, everyone would want to leave as quickly as possible so there would be no need for a grand feast. He decided to celebrate the champions of the tournament so they could be acknowledged by the whole realm. After the Tournament of Champions, no one would pay them any attention so, might as well acknowledge them now before they are forgotten.

Jon heard the King laughing boisterously with his storm lords. Out of everyone in the royal family, he was the happiest. His son had won the melee. Gendry Waters was the undisputed winner of the grand melee. He had beaten back 39 participants and stood head and shoulders above all others. Of course, everyone else cried foul. Even his own bannermen and Dothraki riders wanted a rematch. Some believed that the king had fixed the entire match so that his bastard could win but, Jon knew better.

Jon had been in the company of the Storm lords for quite some time. If you ever spoke badly about their honor or flat out called them a cheater, you'd have a fist in your mouth and a broken to boot. The truth of the matter was, when the melee began, the storm lords protected Gendry Waters, simply because they wanted to test him themselves. When only Storm lords remained, they went against Gendry Waters one on one, instead of ganging up two or three on one, like they did with the other competitors.

In the end, Gendry had topped them all. He was bloody and Jon knew from his maester that he had broken a few bones, but in the end he was victorious. None, applauded more than the king himself. The royal family was apoplectic that the bastard had won. The look on Cersei, Tywin, and Joffrey faces was murderous. If looks could kill, Gendry would be a dead man many times over. Jon was driven from his thoughts when there was a cheer coming from the east. He looked towards the commotion and spotted his father escorting his mother to him.

Jon smiled. He thanked the gods his father made it in time. Otherwise, his father's squire, The Darkstar would represent Dorne in his stead. Oberyn walked up to Jon and hugged him.

"You have done well boy. You've given me a gift that I cannot repay." Oberyn said.

Jon rolled his eyes.

"My gift was to Dorne, father. Are you so arrogant that you think this gift was strictly for you and uncle Doran?" Jon said.

Oberyn laughed.

"Sure, whatever you say son. I don't care what you tell these petty lords. I'll soon get a chance to avenge her, to avenge them." Oberyn said.

Jon shook his head.

"Of course, you're that arrogant."

The whole family laughed.

"Well father, enjoy yourself. The tournament of Champions starts the day after tomorrow. It wouldn't do to have all the champions of the realm hungover or gods forbid, still drunk." Jon said while looking at his father pointedly.

Oberyn smiled.

"Son, you know me so well. What did I ever do to deserve a dutiful son such as yourself?"

"I don't know, but, if the gods have gifted you with a dutiful son, then they've punished me in equal measure with a wreckless father." Jon said in the most sarcastic way.

Oberyn laughed loudly at his remark.

Jon looked for his missing sister and found that he couldn't find her.

"Where is Tyene?" Jon asked.

"She decided to find herself in Essos. She said she was taking the long way round. Whatever that means."

Jon nodded knowing well the feeling of freedom that accompanied his Essosi travels.

Prince Oberyn looked to the left and saw someone he knew he'd face, sooner or later.

"Prince Oberyn, welcome back." Ned said.

Oberyn looked at Ned and sighed.

"Lord Hand. I didn't expect you to make it all the way to Dorne. I thought, wolves didn't do well in the southern sun." Oberyn said.

"That isn't true. Your son's direwolf proves that it isn't." Ned said.

Oberyn nodded.

"We need to talk." Ned said.

"Yes, but, can't it wait until tomorrow. Tonight, is for celebration and I just got back." Oberyn said.

"Of course, how about lunch tomorrow. You, me, and your brother can discuss the state of the realm."

"Very well. I should be lucid by then." Oberyn said with a smile.

Ned nodded to Jon.

"Khal Jon." Ned said to Jon before turning around and leaving.

"What just happened here?" Jon asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. Just old men, reminiscing." Oberyn said.

Jon didn't believe him but, he had other things to worry about.

Across the courtyard…

The Westerners were starting to become calamitous. They were already celebrating the Mountain's victory in the Tournament of Champions. He had yet to fight, but, the westerners and apparently the gambling houses, had already made him their favorite. The odds were stacked in the mountain's favor. Oberyn, the SmallJon, and Ser Jaime Lannister were the other favorites to win the tourney. Brightroar was the biggest prize ever offered and only the best of the best was allowed to enter. The fact that the Lannister's technically had two entries in the tournament, soured some, but the chance to see the greatest fighters in the realm fight to the death or submission, quickly silenced their protests.

"A coat of Gold, A coat of Red.

A Lion still has claws…..."

Many westerners started joining in. Until the white noise was drowned out by their song.

"And mine are long and sharp, my lord….

As long and sharp as yours…..."

Jon and Oberyn looked at the crowd and knew it wasn't good. The Dornish were a fickle bunch and here were a bunch of their enemies, singing a song of triumph like they'd already beaten them. Their hate for Tywin Lannister and his mountain were evident in their eyes. They saw the Westerners as murderers proclaiming their past and future victories to their face.

"Those arrogant assholes!" Oberyn said while clenching his fists.

The Westerners paid them no mind. They went through the song and started to sing again. Jon looked at his father and the rest of his people. With every word, the Dornish proceeded to become more and more angry. What was once a joyful affair was starting to spiral out of control. He looked at his very young sisters and realized what he had to do to diffuse the situation. He couldn't believe he was foolish enough to let younglings into this gathering. Jon spotted a bunch of upright barrels and decided to mount them. He stood above the rest of the crowd and everyone quieted except the Westerners.

Jon steeled himself then let loose.

"The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun and her kisses were warmer than sprinnnng," Jon sang.

It was slow at first but soon the Dornish started to join him.

"…The Dornishman's blade was made of black steel and its kiss was a terrible thiiing….."

Adam Marbrand saw what was going on and goaded the westerners to sing louder.

"And so he spoke, and so he spoke….that lord of Castamere…"

Lady Oleanna could see what was going on and decided to help her favorite Dornishman.

"Willas dear, you have a good voice. Why don't you and the men join our Dornish friend in his merriment." The queen of thorns said.

Willas smiled.

"Yes grandmother."

Willas and his bannerman joined Jon in the next chorus.

Adam Marbrand was still trying to get the Western lords to sing louder but, it was no use. With the Reach and Dorne joining the chorus, he and his western men were drowned out. He sat with his lords grumbling about the people of the Reach.

"Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done…The Dornishman's taken my life.

But what does it matter, for all men must die and I've tasted the Dornishman's wife. I have.

I've tasted the Dornishman's wife."

"Long live Dorne! Long live the Martells." People in the crowd were heard cheering.

The Dornish were exuberant and so was the rest of the crowd minus the lords of the West. If one didn't know any better, you'd think they had just sung the Dornish national anthem. Everywhere he turned Dornish men and women were walking up to Jon and patting him in the back. Ned looked at how much he was loved and knew, he could never give him this in Winterfell. His wife was too southern to embrace or love him if he'd had brought him back. To her, he would have been a bastard and only a bastard, while to Dorne, Jon was a was a leader.

Ned looked to Prince Doran and saw that the Prince was staring at him. Prince Doran raised his cup to Ned and Ned raised his own glass to Doran. Although no words were said the meaning was clear. He may have your blood but, look at what we've made him. Here was a warrior, a leader to his people; here was a king!

Sorry, I just watched Casablanca and couldn't help myself.