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A Dragon Kissed by Sun Chapter 19 (A Song For The Lost)
🕑 Added 2022-01-08 19:14:31 +0000 UTCJon Sand
Arriving back to Sunspear, it was dusk, the feeling of coldness had spread around the air; despite the day being hot and being able to handle the sun shining down, the night always became cold, during winter, rarely would get so cold that water would freeze at night.
This reminded Jon of a local tale Jon had been told by his mother last year.
She called it 'The year Snow had fallen on Dorne', which had immediately grabbed Jon and Nym's attention, soon Obara had joined as well.
His mother told them of a long time ago, during the first long night when the White walkers had attacked the living, the sun had disappeared, darkness had fallen all over the world, without the sun to bright and warm the days on Dorne.
The sand had frozen, strong as a rock, and the snow had covered everything in Dorne. Of course, everyone knew The Long Night was just a tale to scare little children.
But Jon hadn't been sure, the very same night he had dreamed himself walking through the Sunspear, but a thin layer of snow-covered everything. What is This? Jon had asked himself when he first saw the snow, and he had never seen snow in his life. At first, he had been confused, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him.
Touching it, the snow had melted on his mouth, his teeth almost freezing, as shivers had spread through his body like little blades piercing his skin, little by little.
Jon remembered running around the castle, but he couldn't see anyone. He finally arrived where the Sun Throne stood. He had visited the place several times with his father and Uncle Doran, but this time, instead of the bright colours of the sun shining the Throne Room.
The Room was cold and dark, shadows everywhere, the water in the fountain nearby had frozen, the water turned to ice, the flowers near the windows where they usually stood, instead of bright colours, they were dead and gone.
Jon remembered screaming his father's name, but when the door behind him opened, he had turned expecting his father, but all he saw were shadows, no one was walking inside, when suddenly bright blue eyes had seen through the darkness, freezing him to death.
Jon had woken up that night, he had even felt cold, and he couldn't remember the last time he felt cold.
Jon escaped his thoughts as he heard the booming voice of the streets getting closer. Jon looked at the market as their horses made their way towards the Castle.
Most people would step away whenever they saw the royal horses. Jon smiled, seeing Ari smiling at her people; he knew sooner or later she would become the one in Charge of Dorne.
Jon had no doubt she would be amazing as Princess of Dorne, perhaps even better than Uncle Doran. Jon found himself thinking as he rode closer, seeing man, woman and children waving at her.
Their smiles reached their ears, and some were kneeling in front of her. Jon almost wanted to make a Joke but decided to keep his mouth shut. He knew how important the people of Dorne were important to Ari.
"Princess of Dorne"
"Princess of Dorne"
They all shouted, bathing Arianne in glory and praises. Jon couldn't help but keep his eyes on the people, looking at their eyes, he saw many had the same eyes Daemon gives his sisters and sometimes Ari, the look of wanting to have the woman in bed.
Even some of the women were lusting after the Princess, and perhaps they were jealous of her status or pretty looks, Jon didn't know.
He noticed the way Art was wary at people cheering for them, but his horse stood closer to Jon's horse instead of Arianne's horse.
Why are you protecting me? My father might have hired you, but I'm sure a Princess's life is far more important than that of a Bastard, Jon thought to himself, he could just feel there was more to Art than just hired to protect him, Jon knew there was more, but he still didn't know the truth.
Jon glanced from the corner of his eyes. Aly was still quiet. Since the incident with the snake, she hadn't said anything. Jon wondered why? He had decided perhaps to look into the books for answers, and sadly he still needed to learn how to read and write.
They soon reached the Castle. Walking inside, Jon departed from the group, making his way towards his bedchamber. He knew it would be feast today because of his name day, despite Jon thinking it was a little overboard.
Reaching his bedchamber, he closed the door behind him, removing his tunic. He decided to wear better clothes.
Looking through his options, what caught his eye, was a blackened red shirt with black strings around the neck, forming a dark snake made of strings.
Jon wanted to wear it but knew they represented the one house his father despised more than anything else, sighing. He just decided to wear golden clothes to represent House Martell, but I'm not a Martell, Jon thought. Was there any point if he represented his father's house or not.
Despite being only six name days, Jon knew what he was and his role in the world; he wished to make his father proud, but deep inside, whenever his father would tell him tales of Dorne or other kingdoms, Jon couldn't help but be fascinated by the Aegon's Conquest Story.
The thought that such a man conquered the seven kingdoms, except Dorne, always fascinated Jon, he couldn't help but dream of one day owning a Dragon and becoming like The Conqueror. I could be like him, Jon thought, smiling as he decided to wear his clothes.
Jon wasn't sure what fascinates him more, the dragon or Aegon himself, a Conqueror, that's what he wanted to be, to show everyone his worth. Jon knew why he lived in a fancy castle-like Sunspear was because he was born a bastard of a Prince. If he was a bastard of a lord or just someone who didn't care, he knew he would be living in the streets, searching every day for his bite of food.
I could prove to everyone that I'm worth a damn, not because of who my father is, but because of Who I am, Jon thought, preparing himself for the feast and the little surprise his uncle Doran had prepared for him.
Reaching the main room where the Royal Family ate, opening the door bathed in gold, he noticed everyone seemed to be in high spirits. His father seemed to be talking with Art, who appeared to be speaking in a hushed tone. Sitting at the high table, in the centre, was sitting his uncle, his sisters were on the right side of his father.
Ari was talking with Nym. Aly seemed to be in her own mind, Lady Ashara sitting close to her.
"Come, Jon," he suddenly heard and saw Nym gesturing for him to sit close. Jon smiled warmly as he sat near Nym, who had a glass of wine in front of her.
"Do you want some Wine?" Nym asked, suggesting with a slight smirk on her face that annoyed Jon slightly.
"Sure big sister," Jon said, knowing he wasn't really of age to drink wine, but it was known in the whole seven kingdoms that Dornish wine was the best wine.
Before Jon could grab the glass, another hand grabbed it before him, and he turned to see his mother looking at him with a look before glaring at Nym.
"I won't have my son become like that fat king," She spoke with a hint of disgust at the thought, Jon wanted to say that he wouldn't become a drunken idiot just by taking a sip, but the intensity of her glare made him shut his mouth.
They stopped when they heard clapping. Every head turned to Oberyn, who was smiling and raised a glass in the air, and so did Ser Art and his whole family, including Lady Ashara.
"Jon, this is your six name day. I wish you a long and happy life, Happy Name Day," he shouted at the end, and so did everyone else; before starting clapping, Jon lowered his head from embarrassment.
His face turned red, and he couldn't stop his smile from sneaking into his face.
Soon a cake was brought to Jon, who cut the first piece, and then was served to everyone else. During the rest of the night, Jon mainly was busy talking with Ari, Nym.
Obama was busy giving glances at Deamon. The way she touched him made Jon slightly uncomfortable.
Jon talked about his wish to visit King's Landing at least once. During it, Aly joined, liking their silly conversations about King's Landing.
"I heard from Father that King's Landing smells like shit," Nym spoke and pinching her nose as if she was trying to stop a bad smell.
"Well, that place is filled with a King who drinks and whores himself to an early grave," Arianne spoke with evident disgust in her tone; unlike Jon, he didn't really know Aunt Elia and neither Princess Rhaenys.
But Arianne knew them and remembered them. She had mentioned to him many times how Aunt Elia was like; Jon wanted to ask his father, but he knew that subject was still a bitter subject to talk about for Oberyn Martell.
The most the red Viper ever spoke of Aunt Elia was one time mentioning the first time Oberyn had seen Princess Rhaenys.
But Jon remembered that day with sadness as well. His father had suddenly stopped talking before standing and leaving the chamber; of course, the following day, his father apologised to him and told him he didn't really like to talk about it.
Jon had nodded in understanding and even hugged him hoping to ease his pain; that was two years ago.
Arianne always spoke of Aunt Elia with fondness, and whenever House Lannister and Baratheon was mentioned, Ari would speak with venom like a true Snake.
"Princess Arianne, have you ever met Prince Rhaegar?" Alyanna suddenly asked, drinking water from her cup, her voice low, almost a whisper.
Jon noticed Nym stiffened at the mention of Prince Rhaegar, but Ari didn't seem bothered from outside; she kept a smile on her face, a smile Jon knew full well was a fake one.
"I did meet him; he visited Dorne like two or three times; I don't remember much," Ari spoke with a slight edge on her tongue, trying to end the subject.
Jon saw Aly wanted to speak something else, her lips opened, but no words came out before they closed.
"Jon," Uncle Doran suddenly shouted over the other side of the table.
Jon stood up, knowing why his uncle had called him. He saw the confusion filling everyone else, and even his father had no idea why his brother called Jon; he nudged him wanting answers.
"Yes, Uncle Doran," Jon spoke with a small smirk, which his uncle returned.
His uncle clapped his hands, the door leading inside the large room opened, inside came to a servant holding something incredible. Something Jon had wished for a very long time now.
Oberyn almost gasped seeing the servant bringing a harp to Jon, who seemed to be as bright as the sun now, his face brightened up, he glanced seeing Doran giving his son a nod to do whatever.
He saw Jon take the harp in his hands. Oberyn didn't need to turn to know who gasped, and he knew Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell and Ser Gerold were flabbergasted.
Before Oberyn could ask if he knew how to sing...
"The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun,
and her kisses were warmer than spring.
But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel, and its kiss was a terrible thing.
The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed, in a voice that was sweet as a peach,
But the Dornishman's blade had a song of its own and a bite sharp and cold as a leech.
As he lay on the ground with the darkness around and the taste of his blood on his tongue, His brothers knelt by him and prayed him a prayer, and he smiled, and he laughed and he sung.
"Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done, the Dornishman's taken my life,
But what does it matter, for all men must die,
and I've tasted the Dornishman's wife!"
The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun,
and her kisses were warmer than spring.
But the Dornishman's blade was made of black steel, and its kiss was a terrible thing.
The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed, in a voice that was sweet as a peach,
But the Dornishman's blade had a song of its own and a bite sharp and cold as a leech.
As he lay on the ground with the darkness around and the taste of his blood on his tongue, His brothers knelt by him and prayed him a prayer, and he smiled, and he laughed and he sung.
"Brothers, oh brothers, my days here are done, the Dornishman's taken my life,
But what does it matter, for all men must die,
and I've tasted the Dornishman's wife!"
Jon stopped singing, opening his eyes again; he saw the faces of everyone from where he was standing.
Uncle Doran had tears rolling down his cheek, which was very rare for someone as stoic as him. He looked to be remembering something. Jon wondered what he was remembering.
Looking from him to his sisters, they all looked to be crying except Obara, who was smiling at him. Ari was looking at him with a slightly calculating look. Still, nonetheless, she seemed very pleased with his voice; his mother was smiling proudly at him; Lady Ashara looked shocked, much to his surprise.
Alyanna was clapping for him, smiling; her purple eyes seemed to be shining from the light of the candles around them.
Even Quentyn looked stunned and impressed by his voice. He smiled at Jon, something Jon found surprising.
While Ser Art stared at him, almost as if he saw someone else and not him, not me, Jon thought confused. He wondered who could he be seeing. Do I remind you of someone? Jon asked himself; the same wasn't for the two others who were smiling but still looking at him, shocked.
Areo, the commander of the soldiers of Sunspear, who usually didn't show much emotion, gave him a sincere smile.
But when Jon turned to look at his father, the look he gave him was different; tears were rolling down his cheek and a hint of melancholy on his face. Jon wanted to ask if everything was alright...
"That was a beautiful Song, Jon," Uncle Doran spoke as he started clapping, soon followed by everyone else except his father, who stood up and left the room, avoiding the eyes of everyone.
The door shut as Jon felt tears welling in his eyes; the harp fell on the floor, making a loud sound that echoed through the room.
Oberyn Martell
He didn't know where he was going; his legs were moving on their own, he didn't know where they were leading him, didn't care.
As he felt the cold and gentle wind brush off against his face, he opened his eyes to see that he was in front of the Moon Window; from there, he could clearly see the moon high in the sky, shining the night for them.
Oberyn remembered many times coming here with Elia; when they were young, very young, the prince of Dorne thought with a bitter taste in his mouth.
The way Prince Rhaegar sang for Elia, the Dornish song, and he had even written one for Elia, True Love, Oberyn had thought back then.
Oberyn remembered the little and innocent voice of Little Rhaenys when little she had begged Prince Rhaegar to sing Jenny of Oldstone for her third name day; she loved that song, despite being a sad one that brought tears, she still loved the song, Oberyn chuckled to himself as he remembered catching Rhaenys a few times singing the song to herself.
"Don't tell Muna; I want to sing it for her name day,"
The little princess had begged him, Oberyn of course, had complied as she ordered. How could he ever break an order made by a princess as beautiful as her.
His arms were resting on the edge of the window, his eyes looking melancholy at the moon as if waiting for an answer.
"Oberyn,"
The prince didn't turn to meet the eyes of his paramour as much as he wished he couldn't.
"Oberyn, what are you doing? Do you have any idea what you did to Jon? You left in the middle of his name, day," she spoke, but almost shouting at him, her anger slipping.
Oberyn had a good idea, his brave boy wasn't pleased with him, the viper wondered what had gotten into him, he didn't want to leave, but his voice, that song, Elia, Rhaenys and Aegon...
"I'm... I don't know what happened; many times I look at him, his purple eyes remind me so much of both Rhaenys and Aegon. The way he looks curiously at the books and weapons, almost as if they were the most interesting piece of the puzzle he had ever seen. The way he sometimes he begs for a wish to be fulfilled, just like Rhaenys, their similarities are almost frightening," Oberyn spoke, his voice low, filled with sadness, trying hard not to cry.
Not many remembered, but Oberyn could see the similarities between Jon and Rhaenys; he wondered how would Rhaenys treat him, would they be good friends, loving each other like siblings, or would they be something more?
"I know Oberyn, I might not have known her as long as you did, but Princess Rhaenys was one of a kind," Ellaria spoke gently, caressing his back.
Oberyn felt relaxed; Ellaria could always relax him, no matter how tense he was, she could always comfort him, the way she spoke and touched always worked.
Silence fell over them. Oberyn kept looking at the moon, shining down on him, turning his face; he kissed his paramour on the lips, the smell of wine on her lips and tongue.
"I need to return," Oberyn spoke, grabbing her hand and started walking towards the room.
Reaching the door, his hand went to the handle but stopped before opening it; he felt heavy, he couldn't make himself to move; Ellaria put her hand on his, Oberyn released a sigh of relief before they opened the door.
Walking inside, he was met with glares by his brother; he almost looked disappointed. Ari glared at him, which was new; as far as he could remember, his niece never was angry at him.
The kingsguard and even Areo, the commander, looked disappointed at him, while Arthur looked at him the same he had, the last time they met each other before Arthur left for King's Landing.
But the worst were his daughters and Jon. They were completely ignoring his existence and not even giving him as much as a glance.
Clearing his throat, he saw everyone's attention turned to him, except Obara, who was looking at the other way.
"Jon, I'm... your voice is quite magnificent. I would like to know if you could sing another one," Oberyn spoke warmly at his son who's frown on his face turned to a small smile. His face brightened up.
"Of course, father," Jon spoke before standing up, the harp on his hand as he turned to look at everyone in the room.
"Jon, sing your favourite song," Oberyn stated, wanting to know if the Dornish song was his favourite or not.
Jon looked uncertain for a moment, but Oberyn catched both his brother and paramour, giving him a nod; Jon nodded back and said nothing as he closed his eyes...
"High in the halls of the kings who are gone
Jenny would dance with her ghosts
The ones she had lost and the ones she had found.
And the ones who had loved her the most
The ones who'd been gone for so very long
She couldn't remember their names
They spun her around on the damp old stones
Spun away all her sorrow and pain
And she never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
They danced through the day and into the night
Through the snow that swept through the hall
From winter to summer then winter again
Til the walls did crumble and fall
And she never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
And she never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave
High in the halls of the kings who are gone
Jenny would dance with her ghosts
The ones she had lost and the ones she had found
And the ones who had loved her the most"
