The Water Gardens were absolutely breathtaking.

Nothing like Kingslanding, most would say far better.

In this place, where the royal blood of Dorne walked and laughed, fell in love and had battles, where decisions were made for the safety of its people against dragons and warlords, for all its beauty it housed just as many demons.

Victoria stared longingly at the exotic flowers, and beautiful fruit that hung from it. The sun beamed so warmly, the smell of sea cling to her senses, it wasn't hard to let go here, and yet she found herself stuck in a sense of survival.

How easily she'd found herself singing and laughing here, dancing to the musicians and singers that often came to celebrate her return.

The sun kissed winter bride, they'd often call her, a beautiful hymn of her adventures north as the outsider of Dorne. Her father found them absolutely riveting, and often would pay for them to sing her these ballad and dance with her cousins. She remembered how often her time was spent underneath the trees, soaking in the warmth and telling her cousins about her time north and her pleasures with Robb. She never thought things would change, those memories would be just in the last, and the Water Gardens would be a graveyard if her innocence.

She clung to the fabric of her dress nearest her belly, a habit that never went away after the twins birth. It was something she'd done once to comfort herself in times of war, knowing that everything else could've gone to hell but her babes were still safe. And now that they were present in this world, away from the safety of her womb she no longer took comfort but vengeance. The simple action, the thought of all she had lost and could lose was still right there, all 3 of her children were apart of her.

"How'd it go?" Victoria said, she noticed the interruption of her silence as footsteps approached. The quick pair of feet were determined, headed straight in her direction where she hid, away from her problems, from Lannisters, even her own family.

She knew the answer, she knew the outcome but her stomach still tightened and her throat swelled.

Amina stood in front of her, she looked grim. She'd sat in the meeting amongst her family and the Lannisters in place of Victoria.

Amina rolled on the balls of her feet, the warmth of the sun contrasting the darkness she was now feeling. Monterroso beside her also felt odd. They shared one brief glance while Lady Valiente kept her eyes on the gardens, and in those moments they replayed the entire conversation, expressions, even anger disheveled within that short moment.

Amina felt her jaw stiffen and Monterroso nodded before the brunette serpent spoke, "the decision been a made, he's not taking action, he's allowing them to take Princess Marcella back home and..."

Victoria looked at them finally, her angered pictured like a painting as an eyebrow rose, "and?"

Amina bit the inside of her cheek, knowing that this was the real travesty, "he's sending Trystan with them, to take my fathers place on the small council."

"No," she stood and dread boils within her belly. She could Cersei and Jamie, conspiring, her beloved cousin dead like King Robert, her father, Ned Stark... her uncle. "They're going to kill him."

Amina blinked and looked away, carefully patrolling the area surrounding them, "unfortunately, my lady, I don't think the Lannisters will have that pleasure, we have vipers  in the flowers here. They are acting now, we need to go."

Victoria took a step back and gulped, "now? They're planning on acting now? We have to stop them."

"No, Victoria," Amina shook her head and came forward. "We need to get you out of here, once Prince Doran and Trystan are gone they will come for you, you're the only one standing between them and the ruling hand of Dorne. We still have some allies here, the grand Lords have given us a chance, they want to meet you back at the boarders, find a way to keep you safe and give you your families legacy."

"I need to tell Trystan and my uncle, I will not leave without them."

Amina shook her head, her eyes seemed glossy, like she bit back tears, as if she too felt the same despite her words, "we can't, we'll never make it out alive."

"Please!" Victoria begged, "I have to try... let me warn my uncle."

Amina sighed, "they have ears everywhere, Elaria knows we met with Jamie, she knows we must've tipped him off. Our only saving grace is your war, but it's not strong enough."

"Just one time, please." Victoria begged, "I just need a moment with my uncle, and then if he still doesn't agree I'll go. You must try to get Trystan though, we must try and save them at least."

Monterroso and Amina shared a look, and after a moment they nodded, "alright, I'll try and get Trystan, you speak to our uncle."

Victoria nodded, Monterroso walked nearest her, in step as to push her out danger.

"Tell me, how bad is it." Victoria said after a silent moment.

Monterroso kept his face neutral as to not give anything away, he was like a weapon himself, ready for combat. After a moment he finally took a breath, "this doesn't get worse. The people are revolting, there's snakes in the garden and your uncle can't differentiate them because they're blood. This is not something that will be done easily but it will be bloody and brutal."

Victoria stomach turned, suddenly she was back at The Twins and standing in the grand hall, Walder Frey is staring at her with a grin, something foreign and grotesque, the very image cause her breath to quicken, this was not new. Her pace quickened and before they turned the corner Monterroso grasped her arm and pulled her tightly against the opening of a wall where they would be hidden.

"Do you still carry a blade?" He desperately question. "The one Marcos had gifted you?"

Victoria felt her muscles tighten but like reflex, she lifted her concealed leg to reveal close to her ankle, where the sandal wrapped tightly around her lower leg the blade, now darkened over time and use. He ducked suddenly, pulling it out of its hold and taking her arm, the dress she wore was long sleeved but they tightened at her wrists and he snapped the elastic back, sliding the blade there, it's wooden handle touching the inside of her palm.

"I'll keep the halls clean, Amina will be waiting for you don't take long. Do what you must but understand if he does not come." His words were very direct, brash and tired but desperate to go.

Victoria suddenly realized it was not only her life being delayed if she stayed, but everyone she loved, once more.

She nodded and fisted her hand, dropping it to her side and feeling the cold blade calm her.

He stepped back, allowing her to walk first and they turned the corner, a smile on both their lips, pretending to be snakes in the grass.

|•|•|•|•|

"Uncle, please you must listen." Victoria had never begged for anything in her life, not when Robb had left her for another women, not when her father blindly ridden off to the capitol, and not when the gods had taken her first child from her but, in this moment she would have been on her knees if it meant a change.

Still, her Uncle, a man considered wise beyond his years by many before was stubborn, and when he looked at her she could tell there would be no change in the matter.

"My darling niece, I have no qualms with the people and your cousins will see that this is the right option. All will align, if you care to stay you will witness it." He responded, and although she could see he believed wholeheartedly in his own words she knew beyond reason that he was as blind as all the men in her life.

Victoria straightened her back, holding back the lump that began to fill in her throat and leaned over to kiss his temple. He smelled like the sun, like fresh citrus, and above all like her father and uncle Oberyn, a smell she would never be privy to again. All the men in her life who'd help raise her were slowly disappearing into the obscurity in her past, and in that moment she saw her sweet yet naive Uncle Doran drowning in that darkness.

"Stay," he attempted to calm her, his hand held hers in a very soft yet firm maneuver, "sit and watch the sunset with me."

Victoria felt her heart race, turning back towards the waters of the summer sea, the Lannister lions and their ship was just disappearing, a tiny speck. She knew once it was entirely gone her uncles luck would have run out and she'd need to be well on her way back to the borders where she would be protected. She squeezed her sweet uncles hands and swiftly removed it, "I must go, my children await my return."

Doran must have noted her firm intentions as he nodded, "very well, I wish to see them soon, bring them once you feel safe."

She nodded, holding in her breath and commemorating his peaceful smile to heart before turning and walking towards the exit. Before fully leaving she turned to the most loyal man her uncle had by his side and begged, "please take care of him, allow no harm to come."

The man, both confused yet wary seemed to heed her warning more then her uncle and nodded. "Id sooner die then allow that to happen, my Lady."

She allowed a stiff smile and then walked past.

Behind the doors of her uncles lavish quarters awaited Amina, her expression paranoid, she wore trousers and simple yet a thick top that concealed deadly weapons ready for anything. Victoria shook her arm, loosening the blade under her long sleeve so it be easily accesible. Amina turned and followed next to Victoria, "he didn't agree did he."

"No," Victoria painfully admitted, her pace was quick and determined as they made their way to the stables. She was cautious of the servants and noblemen that seemed to pass them, with every nod of courtesy she saw there was also loose tendrils of rebels just itching to be released. There were enemies and allies, innocent and conniving, all mixed and unknown of one another.

"Where is Trystan," Victoria whispered under her breath, just loud enough for Amina to look over and catch.

In that instant they caught site of streaks of yellow and brown garbs, and the two looked at once another, stepping into an empty hall just as the coast seemed to clear.

Amina looked at her as if to state they would speak once safe and the two proceeded.

Victoria felt like eyes fell upon her at every turn, some questioned her alliances, others curious as to her whereabouts, she gave them nothing of confirmation.

Amina pulled a blade out once they'd left the walls of the castle and twilight loomed over them, she took the lead, one hand holding her cousins as they ran through the gardens and towards the stables.

Victoria took a deep breath once she saw the flags of her family outside, and sped up.

"Your carriage is ready," Amina remarked as they entered.

"Fuck the carriage," Victoria stated, "it will slow us down, I want to see my children before tomorrow's end." She took a glance around as she neared her horse and with eyebrows knitted together asked, "where is Trystan?"

Her soldiers all avoided her glare, keeping themselves busy by mounting their horses or filling the carriage with extra weight it would carry instead.

None seemed to have the heart to tell her the truth, all except for Amina who grasped her hand. "Trystan must stay, they were watching him too heavily. It would have been obvious if any of us had gone for him, I'm sorry."

Victoria felt her breath shorten, knees shaking and she shook her head, "I have to go get him. I will not leave him."

Intent on saving her sweet cousin from certain death she turned back in the direction of the castle but was promptly cut short by Amina who stepped in front of her. "Victoria we cannot."

"Like hell—" the Valiente women went to go around her once more.

"Listen to me," Amina stopped her, "Elaria has eyes everywhere for him, my sisters have surrounded him. I love him dearly and I will miss him just as much as you will, he has no fault in this war but we cannot save everyone. Think of your children, Trystan would want us to save them first."

"Amina..." Victoria begged, her lip trembled and she felt like vomiting. Leaving Trystan felt wrong, her young cousin had nothing to do with his fathers decisions and yet he would die all the same. She'd promised to take care of him, to watch for him and now she was directly going behind that. Her heart ached, she was losing her again.

"I know," Aminas eyes glistened with tears and she squeezed their hands together, "we already have risked so much just standing here. We cannot."

Victoria swallowed the sob, instead allowing a single tear to fall for her family that would soon die. She trembled but shook her head and turned, wiping the tear from its place. "Let's get out of here."

Monterroso came closer, he gave her a sad smile, holding out the reigns to her black horse. "I'm sorry, my lady, but this is the only way.

They mounted horses and rode out of the capitol's reach, high up on the outskirts of the Water Garden, Victoria took a chance to look back, it was dark now; dim light only remained and yet the estate had never looked more awakened. She felt the chaos emanating from its walls, in her heart she knew Trystan and Doran were dead. Her eyes cast upwards, wondering if they'd too been reunited with most of their family and if she were to be following soon enough.

She'd outrun fate as long as she could until then.

Once homes she was surrounded by her young children, cuddled and warmed to their touch when she was informed of what she already knew.

Doran and Trystan Martell were dead and Dorne searched for the next in line to the throne.

Her council informed her that although many prided the Sand Snakes and Elaria for their actions nobody of noble name wanted them to take control. The Martells were all dead, all siblings at least, there was just one of the bloodline left and she already guarded one of the most important lands in all of the sand dunes not to mention she was already hell bent on taking down the Lannisters. The houses supported her, how could they not? Her children had been legitimized and had a strong claim to the North as well, bastard or not the houses of Dorne would ride with her.

Victoria Valiente was informed the next morning that not only was she next in line for the crown but her once loving cousins were coming for her head, along with her children's. She had a choice, take the throne and the weight alongside the enemies to the north it had gained or fall much in the way most of her family had gone.

It was evident her choice, and as her scouts reported that the sand snakes and what few allies they had descended upon the borders she agreed and took the oath, becoming Queen Victoria Valiente Martell of Dorne, her children next in line for the throne.

And so Dorne declared itself an independent and free nation. It's first rule as a self-governing nation was to declare war on Westeros. They had most of the reach within their grasp and with Monterroso as first admiral of the sea took the stepstones.

Victoria had garnered more for Dorne then it had seen in centuries and would continue to do so for the good of her family and now people.

|•|•|•|•|

She stood in the mirror of her quarters, newly appointed Queensguard stood outside the doors, her trusted confidant, Elaine Monterroso, and hand, Amina, behind her, helping place her long cloak correctly.

Victoria stared at the rubies crown atop her wavy chocolate tresses. There was jade and opal amongst it: tiny diamonds that sparkles even amongst the dimmest of lights. Itd it's weight was light, and yet she felt like her breath shortened the longer it sat comfortably.

"Your grace, they're outside the gates," Monterroso informed her as he stepped inside.

Victoria blinked away, a deep breath escaping her as she felt a stillness come over her, all worry left her and the thin traces of anger she allowed helped her judgment.

She looked Monterroso, "call our bannermen, tell them to stop drinking and stand with me to show their support. Open the gates and allow them to see our entire force."

Monterroso smiled, a toothy grin that showed excitement, "yes, your grace."

He exited, leaving behind Amina and Elaine who observed in silence, awaiting the Queens call. Victoria smiled, and her eyes tightened as her cousin lifted a hand to fix the crown that had tilted slightly.

"Do you believe I can do this?" Victoria questioned softly.

"If I didn't you wouldn't be here now would you?" Amina smirked, "you've surpassed most of our family, outsmarted the Lannister's themselves what would make you think anything less?"

Elaine nodded along, "I agree. Your Grace, I have seen you outsmart the stranger and every man that has stood in your way. I promise, this is your destiny."

Victoria had no words, instead catching her friends falling eyes and tearfully stating, "thank you, you both have no idea how much this means to me, you've been a rock for me."

"You're a boulder cousin, for your children and Dorne you've stood through all the tests that have come and been defeated at your feet. The sand snakes will have no choice but to fall in line or I will make them." Amina encouraged.

"They're your sisters, I would never ask you of that." Victoria admitted.

"That ended the day they went behind my fathers wishes and killed family, you're my sister now." Amina state's and presses her towards the door. "We must show them what a united family can do, what a true force we are."

Victoria took another deep breath; squares her shoulders, allowed the strength of every man and women who had worn the crown before overcome her and she walked all the way down.

The gates opened and Elaria Sand along with her daughters were met with the force of a true ruler.

They had no choice but to bow before the crown.

On the 3rd day of the 3rd month, 303 years after the conquest Dorne crowned a Queen and declared war on its neighboring country. And the reign that would henceforth be called The Winter's Fire began.

|•|•|•|•|

I don't think you guys understand how excited I am for this next part, the next few are the REASON why I started this book. Let me know what you thinks going to happen!

-Ash🤍