abetterclaim:

I mean that’s basically exactly how it happened.

Probably shouldn’t have passed over your sunshine for a teenager if you didn’t want it to go away.

reblog with your muses BROKEN face.

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you guys ready?

“I’m sure he does, what does his brother say to  such a thing…or perhaps was it Doran who made the suggestion in hopes that a short leash could be put upon us in our father’s absence?” Nymeria wouldn’t put it past her uncle, the Sand Snakes  only ever truly minded their father and even still there was a rebellious streak to some of them.

“Doran has welcomed you to stay, as well.”  Ellaria sighed then and shook her head, “You will not be locked up or forced to remain. Your father and uncle both know of the times that surround us. Though, both logical men I am sure they expect you and your sisters to at least stay south of the mountains.”

“ No, there was little happiness in him for a long while,” the Prince replied, “ As children, he was inseperable from Elia… our sister, and… her death… tormented him,”

“ He would sleep only from exhaustion, and he would wake screaming and dreaming with eyes wide open. In the day he would rage and rave, and at night he would weep and howl, I feared he was going mad… indeed, i think he has,” He looked to his hands and remembered those months after the war. The nights of waking to find Oberyn in the courtyard, hacking anything in his way, holding him in his throes of insanity. The nights of trying to reach for his brother in the darkness, hand out stretched, gentle words…

( I promise. )

“ And… there was little anyone could do for him. Even me; all i could do was help him to his bed once his madness had drained him,”

( Do you believe me? )

“ But since he brought his daughters to Sunspear… and you. I hear less screaming in the night,” He offered her a kind smile, “ I do not know if you are truly good for him, i’ve only just met you, after all, and you must forgive me for my caution… but… it would seem your effect on him is profound, and… soothing. After all he has been through… he needs that,”

“ So, thank you, Ellaria. I am glad to welcome you to Sunspear and to our Home,”

“I thank you for allowing me.” Ellaria replied, giving a small smile herself, “I understand Oberyn insisted, but I am sure if you truly did not wish me here...” She trailed off, biting her lip as she turned to look at the stone once more. She paused for only a moment before looking back to him.

“Nightmares still plague him.” She told him softly. “He wakes in the night, often. He thrashes and shouts as if in argument. He has woken me often...although other nights I wake of my own accord, as if another force has done so knowing he would be in need of me soon.” She paused again, fingers knotting her skirt over her lap.

“There are nights he will not sleep unless my arms are about him.” 

She dropped the material of her skirt and turned to face him more. She sat up straighter, taking a deep breath. “I love your brother dearly.” She hoped he would understand the enormity of her words. She was sure he had heard similar ones before. Hundreds of women and men would claim to love the prince of Dorne...Ellaria merely loved Doran’s brother. She loved Oberyn. 

“I wish only for the best for him...and so I mean to stay while I am what’s best...while he wants me...should there come a time where I am not what’s best...if I were to be a burden, I promise you....I will not stay.”

She had a small laugh. “I wish I did not miss that. Now that you told me though I can still make fun of him for it.” 

Not that it was rare ; while Oberyn was not particularly clumsy, it was slippery around the pools. 

“You don’t mind if I don’t move just yet, right ?” 

She was still sleepy, and found herself rather comfortable that way. She just had to make sure Ellaria was, too.

“Stay as long as you wish.” Ellaria told her, moving her other hand through the hair of the princess’ head, starting near her temple. “I have no intention of moving, anyways. The sun is even too hot for the sandy Dornish out of the shade.”

 With another brush through, she parted the lock of hair her fingers ran through into three. She was used to helping the princess brush her hair, and with such practice she was capable of doing such acts without hurting her. She gently began braiding the small lock of hair, figuring she would have enough time to finish.

“Barely an hour.” Ellaria told her, although something in he reye said it had been longer. She didn’t like Elia to feel guilty for her naps. “Just enough time for your brother to slip and fall while trying to run through the shallow pool. He’ll only have a bruised backside for a while. It was rather funny.” Ellaria smiled, brushing her hand through the girl’s hair again.

There had been an ugly confrontation in the yard when Mace Tyrell’s wizened little mother called Ellaria Sand “the serpent’s whore.”