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[color=f7941d][center][b][h2]Dorne, The Water Gardens[/h2][/b][/center][/color]

[center][i][color=f7941d][h3]Some Time Earlier[/h3][/color][/i][/center]

“I hope my presence does not offend you, Prince.” The sun beat down endlessly on Ser Gwayne Corbray of the Kingsguard, thankful both for the reflective white of his cloak and the intermittent shade cast by the blood orange trees lining the pathway he walked with the Prince of Dorne. The Martell had little and less difficulty with the scorching Sun, but Gwayne could hardly believe that it was still far from the zenith of Summer. He already understood how much a relief the construction of the Water Gardens would have been for the Northern ladies sent to accompany the Princess, and appreciated the gesture from their host in their stead. "The King means no offence to your own household in sending me to accompany the Princess on her Northern journey."

"Of course not, Ser, I well understand the traditions of the Crown and their importance, just as King Daeron has shown respect to us, so we shall in turn." Maron Martell's bearing did not possess a heroic charisma, but even Gwayne felt the coercive honey of his tone, a subtle performance next to the grand standing so common among the great and good of the North, but no less effective. "And if I may say, Ser, even here in Dorne we have heard of the nobility and skill of Ser Gwayne Corbray, it will do me no disservice to think such a blade protects my lady wife. Even in peace the roads can be dangerous." In truth, it was not the roads that made Daeron fear for the safety of his sister, but the destination. The great unspoken truth was that the peace of the realm was fraying, and gatherings such as the tourney of Summerhall were ideal ground for those last threads to finally snap.

"I shall make sure your faith is not ill placed, Prince, shall any of your children be joining her highness?" Over the near two decades of Daenerys marriage to Maron, they had already been blessed with three children, two of whom were of age to manage such a journey without too much additional observation. It was unusual that a Princess of the Targaryen dynasty would have grown children not yet introduced to the wider court, yet that was far from the most unusual aspect of this particular marriage.

"If you can find Saeria, I imagine she will do so. I do not know if she recalls any of King's Landing but it is rare she does not desire an opportunity for adventure, the only risk is she has found a more tempting one already." Maron laughed shortly, a warm personable turn of affection for the eldest of the three Royal children, whatever her wild character. "The others will remain here, perhaps I shall be able to pry them away from their mother's lagoons for half a moment to discuss the matters of the land they may one day rule." Maron did not speak of the true reason the Martell family was not travelling in full, that the vultures of Yronwood and Dayne circled as closely as those of Blackfyre did further North. Daenerys was a prize protected by both realms, the Martells themselves could rely only on Sunspear to shield them.

"I recall your daughter, your highness, I am sure the trip will be more eventful for her presence." While Corbray's tone never shifted from the respectful, it was enough of a jest to bring another laugh from Maron, and amused mumble of a "Perhaps," of agreement. As the pair moved, the sound of gently running water became louder, and soon the narrow walkways through the Blood Orange trees gave way to a courtyard, one of the great spaces which houses the various pools of the water gardens. Flowing plants and drooping leaves surrounded the space, casting great shadows over the high walled yet open space, fed by the same channeled streams of water which created the great central pool of freshwater. Thanks to the kind spirit of the Princess, much of the water gardens were open to children of any standing, but here was one of the spaces the Martell family controlled more restrictively. A space to find solace from the heat of both Dorne and the Dornish.

Enough of the Sun still reached through the awning cover of palm leaves to send the water sparkling, golden pinpricks of light atop the slight crests of water. It was almost enough to disguise the slightly different shimmer of spun-gold that crested gently through the water. A flush of light that might have remained a mystery were it not to begin steadily rising from the water.

When Daenerys Targaryen had been at court, the young woman had already been known as one of beauty. Minstrels had likened her to Rhaenys reborn, and while that was quite a common claim among those seeking to earn the favour of a High Valyrian lady fond of her looks, for once there was little dispute as to them being right. Even younger, she had born a striking resemblance to the paintings and tapestries that adorned portions of the Red Keep and now, a woman grown, it was only more obvious. Despite the shade within the Water Garden, years within Dorne had clearly touched her, the naturally pale Valyrian skin turned to a tone closer to bronze. Most distressingly to the Kingsguard Knight, the swimming Princess was entirely naked. 

With a quiet exhalation of concern, the famously chivalric knight turned his eyes to the ground, although his words managed to not waiver as he spoke. “Your Highness.” Daenerys smiled warmly, not that the Knight could see, as her bare feet padded over the gentle bank and onto the pavestones to draw closer to her husband, greeting him with a kiss to the cheek.

“You see, Ser, you should tell your Daemon Blackfyre that he need not hate me, if he still convets the sight of my lady wife’s breasts, he is welcome to join us here in Dorne.” Maron grinned, even through the Princesses’ light slap to his chest in reproach. “Although he may find them larger than he remembers.”

“Maron, you are being awful, such a terrible impression you are making on Ser Cobray, he will think you as wanton as they all say about Dorne.” Daenerys tone was stern, even if her eyes glimmered with reluctant amusement.

“I do not think it is anything I say that is causing his sudden shyness, My lady.” Maron’s words caused Daenerys to stop for a moment, a flash of confusion on her features, before she let out an amused laugh.

“Oh…of course, I am sorry Ser, I have been too long in Dorne, and it does become terribly hot…I may require your cloak, if you are to not to spend the walk back to the chambers glaring at the ground.” While her tone had been teasing with her husband, the Royal Princesses’ voice flowed easily into the soft authority she had wielded so well at court, already her hand extended to accept it without confirmation he would proceed. As it happened, Ser Corbray, ever vigilant and dutiful, was already removing the white cloak, handing it over for the Princess to drape around herself, to which he finally met her now apologetic smile. “Good, now, let us get in from this heat, although if you had expected to find Saeria I can only offer you both disappointment, I am quite certain she has flown away for some time, you shall have to do with me alone.”