One can never truly understand how precious something is until it is lost.
In the original course of events, the primary reason Dorne chose to ally with Viserys, who was then wandering in Braavos, was vengeance.
Had Tywin's army refrained from harming Elia after storming King's Landing, the Martells' reaction would not have been so intense.
There would have been no alliance, no betrothal.
Of course, Viserys did everything in his power to rescue Elia and her children not because he expected anything from them, but simply because he wanted to save them.
Without strength, any alliance is meaningless.
Oberyn's attempt to take Elia and her children back to Dorne was undoubtedly a provocation.
Viserys had to respond.
"Oberyn, there is no such law across the Seven Kingdoms!
The Targaryens are far from extinction, and certainly not at the point of trading their dignity for survival. If you think you can keep provoking me just because you have Dorne at your back, then you are mistaken!"
Though young, Viserys's voice—while lacking in depth—was firm and sharp, like a drawn dagger.
Rhaella looked at her son with a mix of pride and emotion.
Another great Targaryen king had emerged.
Yet the gods seemed particularly cruel to this king.
In her eyes, either of her sons could have replaced Aerys, and the kingdom would never have fallen so far.
Purple eyes stared into black ones, and slowly, the gleam in the black eyes faded.
Seeing the Red Viper finally restrain himself, Viserys softened his tone.
"Of course, whether it's Dorne or Dragonstone, Elia is free to come and go as she pleases. But I believe Prince Oberyn is being a little too hasty. Returning with you now would not benefit Dorne, Elia, or her children.
I assure you, in the future, I will send her back on the sturdiest and most secure ship available to visit her kin in Dorne."
At that point, Oberyn realized he would not be taking Elia back with him and relaxed a little.
The first confrontation was over. What followed was a private conversation.
The group moved to the Garden of Aegon.
This garden was built during the Conquest by Aegon himself. Though it was fairly large, it felt desolate compared to the lavish palace gardens.
At the pavilion, Viserys and Oberyn sat across from each other at a stone table.
Rhaella, now visibly pregnant and often tired, did not accompany them.
"I imagine Your Grace understands now that Dragonstone cannot be held. What does House Targaryen plan to do next?"
"My mother and I have agreed to go to the eastern continent."
"The eastern continent?" Oberyn's black eyes scrutinized Viserys. "I assume you've heard of the Blackfyres?"
Oberyn seemed dissatisfied with Viserys's response.
The Blackfyres were a cadet branch of House Targaryen. Their leader, Daemon Blackfyre, was a legitimized bastard of House Targaryen.
After their rebellion failed, they fled to the east, hoping to raise a mercenary force to one day reclaim the Iron Throne.
That mercenary force became the famed Golden Company.
The Golden Company was the most powerful sellsword company in the east.
But that was the extent of it.
No matter how strong mercenaries were, they were rootless.
Over a hundred years had passed, and the Iron Throne was still beyond their reach. Daemon Blackfyre, despite being a bastard, had unmatched skill and courage.
Even he failed to carve out a legacy in the east. Oberyn did not have high hopes for Viserys.
Over the centuries, many from Westeros had sought refuge in the east, but none had ever built a true power base.
The Nine Free Cities might be constantly at war, but when it came to Westerosi outsiders, they were extremely vigilant.
"Honestly, I haven't even decided where we'll land when we arrive. I plan to send envoys to reach out to local powers and test the waters."
Oberyn nodded. That might be the only viable approach.
Heading east might not be the best option, but staying on Dragonstone was certainly the worst.
What Oberyn didn't mention was that Dorne had stored a sum of gold in the Iron Bank of Braavos.
If Viserys truly managed to gain a foothold there, perhaps that gold could be put to use.
With serious matters discussed, the conversation drifted.
Oberyn was surprised to find that Viserys's knowledge rivaled his own.
This young king seemed to have read a great deal.
At times, it felt like talking to Rhaegar.
Originally, he only planned to have a brief conversation with Viserys—his main reason for coming to Dragonstone was to see Elia.
But before he knew it, they had talked into the afternoon.
After taking his leave, the doting brother rushed to see Elia. The long-separated siblings were visibly emotional.
Oberyn hugged little Aegon, then kissed young Rhaenys repeatedly.
Elia's room was filled with toys and luxuries. Silken carpets were the least of it; even Rhaenys's crystal duck toys filled an entire chest.
"You know, Elia, when I heard King's Landing had fallen, I was most worried about you and the children.
Thankfully, that mad king had a shred of sanity and let you escape. I heard Tywin sacked the city—I can't even imagine what would've happened if you hadn't gotten out."
Elia replied calmly.
"It wasn't King Aerys who let me go. It was Viserys."
"Viserys?"
Oberyn set down his squirming niece, stunned.
What Elia said next left him even more bewildered.
"A secret tunnel?"
"Rhaegar appeared in a dream?"
"A mute boy?"
"You mean Rhaegar told Viserys about the tunnel in a dream, and that's how you escaped?"
"Yes," Elia nodded. "Strange, isn't it? Viserys had dreams of Rhaegar even before he was crowned."
She then told him about what happened during Viserys's coronation.
Oberyn, however, was a skeptic.
He didn't believe in dreams or divine omens.
In his eyes, either Rhaella taught Viserys to say those things, or Viserys used Rhaegar's name to deliver his own words.
If it were the former, then he had underestimated Rhaella—though that seemed unlikely.
If Rhaella had such cunning, she wouldn't have been imprisoned by Aerys all those years.
If it were the latter, then Viserys was terrifying.
To have such cunning at such a young age…
Oberyn thought back to the scene when he met Viserys.
The Kingsguard, who should've supported little Aegon, were instead fiercely loyal to Viserys.
He leaned toward the second explanation.
"Elia, didn't Viserys say he wanted to send someone to the east? Let me go for him."
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