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GOT : Chapter 143
🕑 Added 2024-10-06 13:16:53 +0000 UTC( Jennelyn POV )
Jennelyn Fowler stood still, in silence, watching the armada of ships coming into the port of Sunspear, from the large windows of the inner keep.
Besides her, Gulian Qorgyle was just as anxious, likely for different reasons. The first being that he would soon be discharged of his duties in Sunspear, the second being…having to deal with the logistics of feeding three large dragons, which had flown over the keep a few moments earlier.
Besides her, Prince Oberyn also watched, motionless, the large vessels bearing the flag of House Martell, along with a banner not seen in Westeros for nearly twenty years, that of the house of the three-headed dragon.
"Jennelyn," the prince finally called out, "please prepare our guests for the welcoming party. I think it's time that we greet our new King and Queen."
Jennelyn bowed respectfully, and left the room with a small smile on her lips.
Her stay in Sunspear had been rejuvenating. Not only did she get to visit the Water Gardens often, which she loved, but she finally got her hand at what she did best: counting coppers.
Yes, many lords would frown at that, but Jennelyn was raised as heir before her father saw that she had no interest in siring one of her own. Of course, Dorne was a lot more lenient than other kingdoms for these types of things. The burden of responsibilities just silently shifted to her twin sister Jeyne, and no one was the wiser.
But Jennelyn still enjoyed ruling! Well, part of it. She loved her numbers, that was certain. And Lady Alyse Ladybright, the treasurer of Sunspear, was all too eager to teach her all the workings of the trade.
Not that Prince Oberyn or Ser Gulian minded. For the former, it was a way of handing over power to Quentyn's new administration, in a way, since Alyse Ladybright was his father's treasurer, and Jennelyn was very much Quentyn's pick to fill that position once his rule was definitely established.
As for Gulian Qorgyle, busy as he was, he was very much relieved by the fact that his burden was lightened.
And all of this under a lovely weather, amidst the soft breeze coming from the sea, the Water Gardens at just half a day's ride, or even a relaxing evening on the soft beaches around Sunspear, feeling the warm water soothe her skin and wet her hair.
No, truly, she never would have expected this when she entered Quentyn's rooms in Yronwood, almost five years ago now.
And besides, it was a great time to meet new faces. Such as Gerris Drinkwater…or was it Dayne, now? And his lovely wife Elinor. A match made in the heavens, clearly. They had had a son, and Elinor's belly had swollen again recently: the birth would likely not wait more than a few moons.
It was truly a time for rejoicing. Already, Quentyn's daughter was born not so long ago, and Prince Oberyn's paramour Ellaria gave him another daughter only a month prior, a little Mara, who is likely to be quick to join the other little vipers in the Gardens.
Ellaria would logically not be here for the festivities. A shame, truly, but at least most of the residents of the Gardens had been able to make the trip.
Quentyn's brother, Prince Trystane, would be amongst them, along with his betrothed Myrcella, and alongside Princess Sansa Stark.
Princess indeed, because Quentyn insisted on the fact of calling her this, despite Dorne never recognizing Robb Stark as King in the North. Well, no matter now…
Jennelyn therefore walked down the steps leading from the Sun Tower, and into the old keep, the Sandship.
The original keep of Sunspear, it had been mostly converted into a massive garden, based on the model of the Water Gardens, with hanging waterfalls and flower beds on several stories.
The first people she found were Gerris Drinkwater and Elinor Dayne. The blonde-haired man was sitting on a bench with his wife, while trying to teach their child to walk.
An amusing sight, seeing the silver-haired boy trying to awkwardly reach the pair.
Jennelyn stayed in the shadows a few moments, letting the parents bask in their moment together, before appearing behind them and clearing her throat.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Prince Oberyn has tasked me to say that we must prepare for our ruler's arrival."
The pair turned around, and looked at each other with sad eyes. They probably knew this was the end of their tranquility. For if Gerris Drinkwater was supposed to be Qorgyle's enforcer, the only thing he usually enforced were the cleanliness of the rooms and halls his wife passed through.
Well, the break was over, and it was time to go to more serious things once more.
Elinor thanked her, and, helped by her husband, rose, holding her swollen figure as she wobbled to her feet. Then, the pair left down the hall, without a second thought.
Thankfully for her, she did not have to play hide-and-seek for much longer. Prince Trystane was with both his betrothed and Princess Sansa, apparently deep in conversation with the pair. But neither women were jovial at all, quite the opposite.
"Prince Trystane," Jennelyn respectfully curtsied in front of the boy of four-and-ten namedays, "I believe it is time."
The prince looked awkwardly in front of him, and then spared a look at both women.
"Is there something wrong?" Jennelyn asked.
To her surprise, it was Sansa Stark that answered first. "Myrcella is being led to the slaughter, I would wager that it does trouble her."
Jennelyn turned back towards Myrcella, who had found refuge in her betrothed's arms. Her vision troubled, she could only shake her head at the silent blonde."She is safe in Dorne, you know that."
"Safe with us, yes," Trystane replied, "but you cannot deny that one can feel fear as to who will likely call for her head to clean out the problem of the succession."
Jennelyn bit her lip. She already knew that Myrcella's life was not in danger, but her name would likely change, from Baratheon to Waters…
But she knew better than to break Trystane's heart. Poor boy was smitten with her, or at the very least felt compassion.
"She won't have to worry about that. Quentyn gave his word that she would not be harmed."
Trystane didn't react but Sansa Stark's gaze darkened, her face turning towards the burnt side.
"I know what words are worth."
"Quentyn's word is not that of the Lannisters," Jennelyn angrily retorted. "Or have you forgotten who got you out of the capital?"
Jennelyn regretted the words as soon as they came out of her mouth. They were carried by anger and frustration, but the girl had really only traded a cruel prison for a golden one. The pretty bird was in a cage, certainly being treated well, but without any space to spread its wings.
To her surprise, though, the Northerner just shook her head.
"I'm sorry, my lady", the auburn-haired girl lowered her eyes, turning heels, "We shall go."
And with that, Sansa Stark led the way down the stairs of the Sandship, towards the great courtyard of Sunspear, quickly followed by the Prince and his betrothed.
Jennelyn followed at a distance, echoing each step of theirs, until they reached the great courtyard, almost a floor below, with the Sandship facing the new Keep in the background.
The great courtyard was a large, open space, only traversed by a large pool and fountain, where we would usually hold tourneys and celebrations. The open space was large enough so that they could have horse obstacle races and parades, and would probably be large enough to fit a small dragon, if one saw fit to land here. After all, did Queen Rhaenys not appear in this deserted courtyard, almost three hundred years ago, leaving Meraxes to wait silently here?
It is said the dragon got impatient and struck a piece of the courtyard with his tail, causing the water in the large pool to rush into the cracks, forming a sort of T in the upper courtyard. Legend has it that the Dornish covered the gash with marble and called it the Dragon's corner, giving the previously rectangular shape a small addition towards the side of the castle.
Jennelyn crossed the Dragon's corner, and wondered if three hundred years after Meraxes, another dragon would add another addition to Sunspear's great castle.
For three dragons were indeed circling overhead, captivating the attention of many of the palace guards, servants, guests or residents standing on the sides of the courtyard.
In the middle, their backs to the New Keep and facing the ramparts and the Sun Door, were the important members of the castle. Prince Oberyn in the center, with the 'old guard' to his right, Alyse Ladybright, Ser Manfrey Martell, Ricasso and Maester Caleotte, and the 'new guard' to his left, with Gulian Qorgyle, Gerris Drinkwater and Elinor Dayne, the former carrying the small child in his arms, Prince Trystane, Princess Sansa, Myrcella Baratheon, and, finally, herself.
It only took a few moments for the large wooden door to creak open, giving a glance into the celebrations that were going on in the streets, where cheers were aplenty, and where banners with both the Sun and Spear and the Three-headed dragon floated wildly.
A large escort started pouring in, taking position perpendicularly to the small group in front of the pool, forming two almost perfect lines.
Then the banners announced the presence of the important guests. There, arriving side by side, hand in hand, were Aegon and Daenerys Targaryen. Both clad in black-and-red, both with silver-gold hair, and both being absolutely gorgeous.
Damn Targaryens.
