Dornish Reunion

When Titus was old enough, Tychus decided to pay a visit to some old friends in Dorne so he would be able to form ties in Westeros. On a whim, he decided to take one of his bastards with him as well as someone else. A new factor that even Tychus had not expected. Not even bothering with going to the harbour, he anchored at a nearby beach and landed his band ashore. They were found by a dornish patrol, mounted and armed with bows and spears. Outnumbering Tychus' men, they were led by a familiar face.

"You must be the stupidest man alive to come armed into Dorne so brazenly." The leader of the patrol said as he aimed his spear at Tychus with the point being just an inch away from his eye.

Unflinching, Tychus who had his head down looked up and grinned, "Now that's no way to talk to an old friend.

The leader lowered his spear in shock, "as I live and breath, Tychus." He gestured to his men who lowered their spears and bows

Tychus laughed, "it's good to see you again Oberyn." The two men clasped hands and walked side by side as their companions followed. Now knowing who the visitors were the reception instantly became warmer and Oberyn escorted them all to Sunspear. On the ride there, the Red Viper and the Demon of the Rock got reacquainted. "I trust Elia is well?" Tychus asked.

Oberyn nodded, "she's doing better since you last saw her." He looked at him and grinned, "but Rhaenys will be absolutely thrilled to see you, she misses you greatly."

"Does she still have nightmares?" Tychus inquired remembering her trauma of King's Landing.

"Every now and then," Oberyn admitted, "She's gotten better over the years."

"Good," Tychus said relieved, "I wanted to visit sooner but I've been about with other business."

"So I've heard," Oberyn replied. "Taking over Tyrosh, conquering the Stepstones, you seem to be moving up in the world."

"We all have to start somewhere," Tychus smirked. "They are the Nomenar Isles."

"In any case, you and yours are always welcome in Dorne," Oberyn assured him, "we haven't forgotten what you did for us."

Once they arrived in Sunspear, Tychus was taken to Prince Doran where Elia was also present. "Welcome back to Sunspear Tychus," Prince Doran greeted him.

"Thank you for having us Prince Doran," Tychus replied nodding his head.

Upon seeing him Elia smiled widely stepped up embracing him, Tychus returned the gesture albeit awkwardly. "You never visit, you never wrote, I was starting to think you didn't care," she jested.

Tychus smirked, "I'd only be a bad influence on Rhaenys if I contacted you too much." he said causing both of them to laugh. He was caught off guard by a squeal and a moment later a tiny par of arms wrapped around his waist, Tychus looked and saw a little girl with long dark curls and violet eyes. Tychus smiled, "hello little sunspot," he said picking her up and having her seated on his arm.

"You came back, you came back," Rhaenys chanted giddily.

"Did I not promise I would?" Tychus asked. Rhaenys nodded excitedly and hugged his neck. He set her down and turned to one of his men holding a box. "Well, I hope this present will make up for the time," he said setting the box down. Rhaenys opened the box and all the Martells gasped, inside was and orange dragon egg.

"Where in the world did you find one," Elia asked.

"In the smoking ruins of Old Valyria," Tychus replied, "along with many other treasures."

Tychus turned around and gestured his wife and son to come forward. The 6-year-old boldly stepped up to his father's side as Tychus introduced them. "This is my wife Serenei of House Rogare and my eldest son Titus." The six-year-old stepped forward boldly and bowed before taking her hand and kissing it. Rhaenys smiled and responded by leaning forward and kissing his cheeks causing him to frown.

"Papa," he whined, causing the adults to chuckle at his discomfort.

"Don't worry my boy, you'll grow use to that," Tychus assured him.

Prince Doran spoke once more, "We have much to discuss, but in the meantime, you must be tired, please rest and we can talk on the morrow."

Tychus nodded, "that would be best Prince Doran," he replied as a servant approached to lead Serenei and Titus to their chambers. While this happened Elia decided to get to know his wife.

Serenei smiled warmly, "it's an honour to meet you, Princess Elia, my husband often spoke fondly of you."

Elia returned the smile, "so you're the one that finally managed to tame the beast's heart."

Serenei laughed, "he is anything but tame Princess I assure you."

Elia chuckled, "I suppose that is true, come my lady, I will show you to your rooms."

Once the women had left the three men were now alone

"There is one other small boon I wish from you?" Tychus told them.

"And what would that be?" Doran asked.

Tychus gestured behind him and a young girl, followed by a small boy were brought into the room. The boy's hair was black and his eyes a cool green while the Girl had forest green eyes yet silvery hair, Tychus stretched his hand out to the boy, "this is Cenred my eldest bastard." The boy came forward and like his older brother gave a bow to the princes.

Oberyn caught on right away, "You want us to foster him."

Tychus nodded, "I figure Rhaenys could use another playmate from a dornish ally."

Doran nodded, "of course Tychus we would be honoured to foster him."

Tychus nodded, "thank you, good Prince, I trust both of you will teach him well."

"And who's the girl?" Oberyn wondered. "Another bastard?"

Tychus shook his head turned to her before looking back and the princes, "Her name is Jeyne Greystone, I wish to place her under your protection as well."

"Why would she need protection?" Doran wondered.

Tychus leaned forward so that only the three men could hear, "She's the Mad King's bastard daughter. Her mother was his last mistress."

This news surprised the Princes, though it was known that Aerys use to frivol, they never knew that a child had been conceived from any of them. With that House Targaryen now had a fourth member, one that they could use in the future. The Martels readily agreed to take her in eager to make her an aunt to Rhaenys.

With that business concluded Tychus was taken to his room which he would be c=sharing with Serenei. The servant led Tychus to one of the more luxurious guest chambers, Once he had settled in and changed he met yet another familiar face. Ser Arthur Dayne scowled at him, "I prayed that I'd never have to see you again Demon," he addressed Tychus by his infamous nickname.

Tychus chuckled at the epithet, "I'm surprised they allowed you into their services again after your previous failure."

"Only because I'm dornish, Ser Arthur replied grimly. "My brothers, however, were not so lucky."

"They should be thankful for their lives and the opportunity to redeem themselves," Tychus quipped. "Few people are ever given such generosity let us hope that you brothers-in-arms do not squander it."

"I would gut you if the Red Viper was not likely to poison me later for doing so."

"Aww you're not still mad about the business at the Tower of Joy are you?" Tychus asked with a laugh. "From my perspective, I prevented several needless deaths and allowed an infant a good life surrounded by loved ones."

"He is a prince and the rightful king," Ser Arthur snapped.

Tychus smirked, "and how did you plan to care for this 'prince'?" He wondered, "take him to Essos to a life of running and hiding? Or maybe send him to Sunspear to be hated as a constant reminder of you prissy Prince's betrayal and his destructive actions that came after." Tychus scoffed. In any case, to the eyes of the world, the boy would be a bastard. You are a learned man, surely you know your history and the disasters that occur when one tries to place a bastard on the throne." He shrugged, "but to each his own, we all need something to believe in. Though should it ever come to a showdown between us I think You'll find the odds are a little more even," he added patting his axes. Ser Arthur eyed them and his eyes widened when he saw they were valyrian steel.

"You claimed to see Rhaegar for what he was," Ser Arthur said after a while, "but I see you for the monster you are even if the Princesses see otherwise. You are no hero."

Tychus chuckled, "my little tin soldier, when have I ever pretended to be something I never was or ever wanted to be. I am no hero, heroes are for children's stories, but don't act like Rhaegar was one. Rhaegar had no integrity, don't forget Ser Arthur who it was that knighted the man that butchered his son."

"Rhaegar made mistakes, I won't dispute that," Ser Arthur begrudgingly admitted, "But before he died at the battle of the Trident, he promised to make changes. Things would have worked out alright if he had been given the chance."

"And that has to be the biggest joke of all," Tychus replied. "He chose to make that pledge when it was too little too late. However, I think Rickon and Brandon Stark might have something to say about things being 'alright' as you put it." Tychus shook his head, "Rhaegar tried to reach the edge of the world and found there be monsters and those monsters ripped him apart." With a mocking wink, Tychus continued on his way the Sword of the Morning fuming.

To Arthur, it seemed like the world liked to play one sick joke after another and this seemed to be the sickest of all. His friend had been every inch the hero and everything the realm could want and need in a King. Yet now most see him as the Bane pf his family. Tychus, on the other hand, was everything Rhaegar was not and every inch the blackguard but he is now hailed as a hero for his actions during the War of the Usurper. When the news of the wildfire plot spread across the realm the people's opinion of House Targaryen sunk even lower and Arthur was speechless for the rest of the day. He knew King Aerys was mad, but the idea that he was willing to burn the entire city with its people inside was unthinkable. To think they had left the Martells practically along with that man.

The biggest pain of all was that Arthur knew that even though Tychus was a despicable man, in the end, he was right-thinking. It was Tychus who prevented the capital from becoming a pine of ashes and bones. It was Tychus that defied his father to save Rhaegar's wife and child. There were times when Arthur couldn't bear to look at Rhaenys for she reminded him of who he wasn't there for when it mattered. In the Past Rhaenys had always been endearing towards him being her favourite knight in the Red Keep. Now Rhaenys was more jumpy, reserved and saw her would-be killer in every shadow. Fearful of losing her remaining child, Elia had become overprotective never letting Rhaenys out of her sight and took to sleeping beside her to help her with her nightmares.

"Where did you go," Rhaenys had asked him on his first day in Sunspear. "I called for papa, I called for you, but nobody came." It instantly broke his heart. He would rather face a thousand hordes that look at the teary-eyed girls asking questions that he could not give an answer that satisfied him or her. He and Rhaegar use to be the heroes in her dreams now there is only one saviour in them now, her 'Axe-Man'. Tychus was right he had failed but Arthur swore he would make up for this wrong even if it cost him his life, this time he would not fail.

The next morning Tychus had an audience with the Prince of Dorne to discuss trade deals in the Narrow Sea. Dorne had exotic products and Tychus had the means of ferrying them, the benefits were substantial. A fee would be paid and Dornish goods would be sold at a cut-price to Nomenar. In return, Dorne would be allowed to use Company ships to ferry their goods as well as protection in the form of escorts against raiders and passage through the Isles. Prince Doran agreed to the terms for multiple reasons. The first being that with the company absorbing most if not all the local tradesmen It was inevitable that dealing with them would become an eventuality. The Second was that due to Nomenar's larger reserves of manpower they would be able to provide better protection for their cargo than Dorne could due to its much smaller army and lack of skill at sea. But the most important reason was that Doran wanted to make Tychus an ally in and further his ends in placing a Targaryen on the throne. Tychus knew this too and figured that the dornish army would make for a good scapegoat should it come to war.

While the trade deal was going on, Rhaenys had taken Titus and Cenred to play in the water gardens There they met with Princess Arianne and the younger Prince Quentyn. They were watched over by the Princess Guard. The Princess Guard Was established by the Martells after the return of Elia and Rhaenys. Led by Oberyn Martell, they were made up of knights from all over Dorne mainly lord's brothers and second sons though there were a number of heirs. Much like the Kingsguard they were devoted to Elia and Rhaenys' protection but didn't have to take an oath of celibacy. Unofficially the Four eldest Sand Snakes, Obara, Nymeria, Tyene and Sarella were also members but remained independent and since they were family were often in closer proximity to her than the rest of the Guard.

The Targaryen Kingsguard had been rebuilt from Targaryen Loyalists that had managed to escape the wroth of the rebel forces. Many of whom had taken refuge in Dorne like the ones that followed Tychus Lannister during his escape from the capital. Others had been captured and were being escorted to the wall but many were 'liberated' by loyalists under Jon Connington. They tried their hand in tourneys conducted by Ser Arthur Dayne and in the end, four men were chosen, Jon Connington, Alliser Thorne, Jeremy Rykker and Jarmen Buckwell. With their order full again the kingsguard was now split between the surviving members of the family. Ser Arthur Dayne and Jon Connington were in Dorne protecting Rhaenys, while Ser Gerold Hightower led the other contingent defending Viserys and Daenerys, along with Ser Oswell, Ser Alliser, Ser Jeremy and Ser Jarmen.

The Fangs of Maw got acquainted with the Sand Snakes and Princess Guard through sparring. Oberyn's eldest daughters Obara and Nymeria were sparring with Sandor Clegane and Gerold Dayne. Darkstar and the Hound were once the youngest members of the Fangs of Maw, now they were counted as among it's deadliest members.

"Tell me, how did it feel to end that monster's wretched life," Obara asked curiously as she clashed with Sandor.

Sandor's grin broadened, "nothing in this world ever felt sweeter. But do you know what the best part was? It wasn't having him at my mercy or watching him squirm on the floor as I opened his throat or even what Tychus did to him after. The best part was I could finally rest easy knowing he would never be able to harm my sister."

Obara cocked an eyebrow, "I didn't know you have a sister."

Sandor nodded, "few people know of Cate, she's rather quiet and shy. She only ever spoke to me and was terrified of our brother for obvious reasons. But she is the one pure thing that has come out of our family." His mind wandered off at the thought of his sister. Gregor killed my father, he would have killed her too if Tychus had not brought her into his sister's service. He kept her safe and granted me revenge and for that, I will always be Tychus' man."

"I swear to you Clegane We will have our retribution and Tywin will answer for my cousin's death."

"We won't stand in your way," Sandor assured her. "But if any of you dare go near the rest of them, there will be blood. Believe me, I understand the thirst for vengeance all too well." He ran his fingers across the burnt side of his face.

Obara stepped forward and cupped his burnt cheek in her hand, "Does it hurt?"

Sandor looked away, "not so much anymore but the memory burns as fresh as ever."

Obara gave him a small smile, "to be honest it doesn't look too bad."

Not far from where they were standing Nymeria was duelling DarkStar. As Darkstar parried Nymeria's attacks he was gazing at her with lusty eyes. Which was not surprising since Nymeria was wearing a gown which was so sheer that it showed her bejewelled undergarments.

Nymeria took note of this and smirked, "like what you see DarkStar?"

Darkstar cocked a smile, "your father looks at beauty and it excites him so I don't see why I can't"

"Careful there," Nymeria warned, "my father might geld you for touching me."

Darkstar shrugged as they locked blades again their faces now inches from each other, "it might be worth it, no?"

Nymeria then lunged forward and kissed him, This stunned Darkstar long enough for Nymeria to disarm him Then with a slight kick to the back of his knees, he lost his footing and fell on his back. Nymeria jumped on him and straddled his face, her blades now inches from his neck. Darkstar noted his position and smirked, "ah, definitely worth it."

"Your sister is good," Sandor commented, "she ought to fight Karl Tanner sometime to see who is deadlier with daggers."

With this idea in mind, Karl stepped forward and took DarkStar's place. Both of him and Nymeria pulled out two daggers and stepped into the circle. Each of them twirled their blades in their hands to show off their skills. Nymeria had the training of her father and was quicker with her hands while Karl had street skills and experience fighting alongside the Demon of the Rock.

As the crowd watched, Sandor patted Darkstar's back, "you've always been a sucker for dangerous women friend."

Darkstar grinned, "trust me the thrill of beauty and danger combined is exhilarating."

They heard a grunt and Nymeria was now the now on her back with Karl standing over her grinning."

Nymeria wiped residue spit from her face as she got up, "you cheated," she accused.

Karl laughed, "this is a fight little snakeling, anything goes."

During their stay, Rhaenys and Titus had formed a friendship and even Cenred got acquainted with the Sand Snakes. Tychus and his retinue stayed in Dorne for a month before returning to the Nomenar Isles. As they said their farewells, Tychus took Cenred aside, "now behave yourself boy, I don't want to hear about you causing trouble for the Martells. Be respectful to the girls and remember you may be a bastard, but you are my son I expect you to act accordingly. Am I clear?"

Cenred nodded, "Yes father."

Tychus nodded, "I will visit every year to see how you are doing?"

With the brief hug, Tychus and his companions sailed away. Once the ship was out of sight, Tyene had taken the boy by the hand and led him to the water gardens.

Ser Arthur and Oberyn witnessed this and turned to the Red Viper, "I hope that bastard of his doesn't do anything foolish."

Oberyn smirked, "if I were you, I'd be more concerned about them doing something than him."