Sample Chapter: Only the Regretful Chapter 6: Wolves in Dorne

Hermione tugged anxiously at the neckline of her dress, frowning as she recalled her brothers reassuring her it was perfectly acceptable for highborn ladies and royalty.  

Still, when she first tried it on and seen herself in the mirror, she had been appalled at how low it plunged, practically showing her cleavage! While she might be a petite woman with equally small…breasts, it didn’t mean she didn’t have a generous bosom and the dress certainly showed off that fact, to her horror. 

As she made to tug on it again, a large hand settled over her much smaller one, stopping her movements. 

“You look beautiful, little sister,” Oberyn said gently but firmly. “Martell colors suit you as well as this dress. Stop worrying and enjoy this day for it is all for you, Hermione Martell, Princess of Dorne.”

Curling her fingers with Oberyn’s, so they were now holding hands, her amber eyes shining with emotion, the little witch spoke softly.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to seem ungrateful after all you and Doran have done for me, Aurey and Dara. I do appreciate it really. It’s just…It’s so overwhelming, so hard to believe I’m now royalty, my children are now royalty and we are being thrown a grand tourney in front of all of Westeros, by all the God’s sake!”

His mouth tugging up into a smirk, the Red Viper drawled out, “Well, it’s hardly all of Westeros. As big as the Water Gardens are, I doubt it could occupy all the Smallfolk and nobles of the Seven Kingdoms. If you had wanted that, I’m pretty sure your Wolf Lord would be open to the idea of playing host instead. The North, while lacking in people more than make up for it with land. Also, it would be so much easier for him, as he wouldn’t have to leave that bloody forsaken land of his. Why anyone would be so fond of the cold, I will never understand.”

When his sister shot him an unamused glare, looking so much like Elia and his Mother combined, Oberyn threw his head back and laughed. And gods did he relish in it, as it had been too damned long since he had felt such joy coursing through him.

Finally, calming down, he conceded, “But I suppose we might have gone a bit overboard in our eagerness to celebrate your return. If you want, we could scratch off some invites, the Freys for sure, the Yronwoods definitely…”

At the mention of the Yronwoods, the Dornish House the Martells had a “slight” feud with, Hermione rolled her eyes. 

Of course her brother would take this as an opportunity to further slight their least favorite bannermen.

So, with a heavy inward sigh, Hermione scolded, “No Obie, we cannot uninvite the Yronwoods. They are coming, same as the Freys. This whole event isn’t just for me but for establishing unity and allegiances as well for all the Westeros Houses.” 

“There, see,” Oberyn said in delight. “Already you sound like stuffy old Doran. You practically fit in already, sweetling. Just give it a couple more moons and I’ll have you being like me as well.”

“You most certainly will not,” another voice cut in, as Doran sidled his way to them, enjoying his newfound movements of being pain free. 

It was all thanks to Hermione, once she had diagnosed that the eldest Prince had what was known as gout in her world, she had started experimenting on ways to cure it. After all, in the wizarding world, that was but one of the many ailments magic was capable of healing. And lucky for Doran, Hermione had been interested in healing ever since Harry had had that unfortunate event of regrowing his bones back. 

Of course, that had meant revealing she was a witch and that she had come from another world, to their shock and then glee. By then, she had managed to trust them and not liking she kept secrets from them, had let them in on who and what she really was.

As the brothers had learned, their sister was a prodigy! 

By her second year in her world’s School of Magic, she had been taken under Madame Pomfrey’s wing, as her official apprentice and before she had even graduated from Hogwarts, she had already finished her Healer’s training, becoming the youngest Healer for St. Mungo’s in history at just 16! She had only worked as a healer for a couple months before becoming promoting as the Head Healer and Head of its Department. Therefore, it took only a couple of experiments of making use of what ingredients she had on her, along with some of Dorne’s own magical plants, such as the Dornish starflower, to make what was the cure for Doran’s gout.

Given that astonishing insight, it didn’t matter that she didn’t agree with their conclusion. They believed it and it only made them prouder and in awe of her. Their sister was a prodigy and it confirmed that they had been right in accepting her into their family, as having a witch as a sister was a huge asset, not to mention her more modern views of how to improve Dorne and Westeros were a nice factor too. Their generosity and goodwill had paid off, rewarded ten-fold, that it could only be the works of the Gods or in Oberyn’s case, the Old Gods. 

 

“The last thing we need is another you, Oberyn. Stick with those daughters of yours if you must but leave our sister alone, especially her little ones.”

Pretending to pout but his dark eyes twinkling with laughter and mischief, the Red Viper chided, “You are no fun, Dorie. Where’s your sense of humor, of adventure hmm? I can’t simply be the only one of my siblings who isn’t a stick in the mud.” 

Both said siblings ignoring him, Hermione said softly, “How are you Dorie? You take today’s potion?”

Making a face, Doran grumbled good naturally, “Yes, I took your awful tasting potion, little sister and only two seasons more of the stuff cannot come fast enough.”

Her lips pursing together, Hermione answered, “Unfortunately, the taste can’t be helped, big brother not unless I risk unintentionally altering it and your health is much too important for me to do so. So you will just have to bear it until your two seasons are up.”

Deciding to change the subject, Oberyn said cheerfully, “Well, I don’t know about you two, but I have the most delightful feeling that tomorrow’s tournament will prove interesting…”

Hermione would, later on accuse him of being the one with magic, as his prediction would come to past.

“It's so hot,” Robb whined, as he trailed behind his Father, his sister and half-brother, as they gathered to the front of the ship's deck, which they had taken from White Harbor to get to the Water Gardens.

Lady Catelyn had chosen to stay behind as lately she hadn’t been feeling well. She’d also claimed she needed to watch Theon, as he wasn’t allowed to leave the North, despite the fact that Ned’s brother Benjen could look out for him. The Lord of Moat Cailin had come at Ned’s bidden, to be the Stark of Winterfell and act as Lord Protector in his absence. 

So, to Jon's delight, it was only his Father, his brother Robb and sister Sansa who came with him to Dorne, to meet his Mother.

“No it's not,” Jon protested instantly, his little chin jutting out stubbornly.

“It's warm and cozy, like how Winterfell always is,” he continued. “I like it.”

Before Robb could retort, Sansa spoke then, her blue eyes shining with excitement.

“Well, I think Jon is right,” she declared, sounded very lady-like, for all that she was only 4 years old. 

“It isn't that hot, Robb and oh look, there's the Water Gardens! It's so pretty! Isn't it, Papa?”

Breaking away from his low chat with Jory, the Captain of his Guard, Ned looked over to where his children were gathered by the railing and were now gazing opened mouth at the amazing sight that was the Water Gardens of Dorne.

Smiling fondly at them, he said lightly, “Aye, that it is, sweetling. I'm glad you seem to like it so far. I know it's quite a drastic change from Winterfell but I hope while we are here, you will come to at least appreciate Westeros's most southern kingdom.”

“Cause this is Jon's Mama's homeland and his future Kingdom,” Sansa asked innocently.

Going still, not having expected his 4 year old to comprehend why it was so important for them to like Dorne, Ned then finally said with a nod, “Aye, Sansa. That and because it is good for the North to have other Allies in the South, besides your Mother's Kin in the Riverlands and in the Vale.”

Beaming, happy she had been right, Sansa then looked at her brothers. 

“See? I was right so you two have to be on your best be...behaver so you don't mess things up for us.”

When her big brothers merely rolled their eyes but grumbled their assent to their annoying little sister, Sansa then happily went back to her sight-seeing. 

Jon was greatly relieved when they finally docked and were allowed to start preparing to depart the ship. 

While it had been quite the experience to ride his first ship from White Harbor to the Water Gardens, he was mostly impatient to arrive in his Mother's homeland and to finally be introduced to her. 

Ever since he’d been told who she was, he had dreamed of what it would be like, that encounter with her. Would she be so happy to see him she'd run to him with open arms? Would she pepper him with hugs and kisses, like Lady Stark did all the time with his half-siblings? Would she have tears of happiness streaming down her face, as she held him in her arms?

Jon didn't know how she'd react to seeing him but everything in him yearned for her just the same. The moment he learned who his Mother was, that she was still alive and most importantly, was not a whore but a Princess, a real life god given Princess, making him a Prince, Jon had wished to see her, to know her in person. And soon, very soon he'd get that chance. 

So with a wide grin spreading on his face, he and Robb took off, bounding down the ship, despite their Father's shouts for them to slow down.

They only stopped, the moment their feet landed on the ground and they found themselves face to face with their first Dornish. 

Dark almost black eyes twinkling down at them in amusement, the Dornishman spoke up.

“Ah. First time to Dorne, is it little ones?”

While Jon could only stare and nod his head, Robb on the other hand seemed to have no problems doing the talking.

“We aren't little! I'm Robb, this is my brother Jon. We are here to see the Tourney, which is celebrating the Princess's return and...”

“To offer our congratulations to your family, Prince Lewyn,” Ned said quickly, as he strided over to his boys, putting a stop to anything else his eldest might have spilled out. It wouldn't do for Robb or Jon to go blurting out that Princess Hermione was Jon's mother. 

He wished to request to see Hermione privately when he told her of Jon, wanting to prepare her for her reunion with her 'son'. 

So resting his hands firmly on his sons' shoulders, effectively silencing them, he bowed to the Princes' Uncle, who, he supposed was Hermione's as well. 

His dark eyes meeting Ned's own gray eyes, the Prince said lightly, “Thank you. Your words are appreciated, Lord Stark. I see you brought some of your family as well although I don't see your wife, Lady Stark. Did she not come with you?”

Before he could answer, a little girl's voice spoke up. 

“Mama wasn’t feeling well so she stayed behind along with Uncle Benjen to help in ruling Winterfell and watching over Theon, Papa’s ward.  Papa said there must always be a Stark in Winterfell, so they are the Starks left behind.”

The Prince's eyes instantly softening when he looked down to see the little red haired girl who had managed to join her circle of family, he let out a soft chuckle.

“And who might you be, little lady,” he said gently. 

Giving him her best smile and curtsy, Sansa said proudly, “I'm Sansa Stark, oldest daughter of the Lord and Lady of Winterfell, Your Highness.”

“Ah, I see,” the Prince said with wide grin on his face. “Well, I am honored to meet your acquaintance, Lady Sansa. I hope during your stay with us, you will find it most enjoyable. It might not be like your home in the North, but Dorne has its own wonders to explore. Perhaps if you have time, I shall show you or maybe one of my nephews and niece could. If not, then I know my great nieces would happily do so once they come back from their visit of seeing their grandfather.”

Beaming, excited at the prospect of a tour of all the wonders of Dorne, Sansa said happily, “My brothers and I would love that, Your Highness. Oh, and I'm sure Papa would too,” she said quickly, making both men smile softly down at her.

“That is good to hear, little one. Of course your Father is more than welcome to come along. But now, you must all be tired and hungry. I shall have someone show you to your rooms, where you will stay and then they shall take you to the Banquet of Glory so you can eat.” 

True to his word, once he led them into the Water Gardens, the Prince summoned several Dornish servants, instructing them to escort their first guests to their chambers and once they had everything settled in, to take them to the Banquet of Glory. Once they were seen to, the Prince then bid then farewell before returning back to the docks, to await the next fleet of guests.

As the Starks walked to their rooms, Robb said with a wrinkle of his nose, “Banquet of Glory? What kind of name is that for a place to eat?”

“Robb,” cried both his siblings, each horrified at his tactlessness. 

But one of the servants overhearing him, gave a light chuckle. Smiling kindly down at the little boy, the Dornish maid explained as best as she could. 

“Well, little lord, it has more to do with the way it was built. See, the whole hall is entirely filled with sunlight, made possible due to the fact its roof is one giant skylight. It is a glorious thing to behold, thus its name Banquet of Glory. You'll see when we take you there,” she promised. 

“Oh,” Sansa gushed. “It sounds lovely!”

Then ushering all the Starks into a large beautiful chamber, she explained that all the rooms were connected so if they wanted to, the children could have their own place to sleep as well as their Father. 

She along with two other servants bowed to them before departing to await them outside, along with Lord Stark's own men. They'd be shown the personal servant rooms later, after their lord and his children have eaten. 

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