A Throne of Winter Roses

Chapter 1

Sorry it's so short, I'm just tryna hurry it along a little before we get to the action. 

Chapter 1

It had been almost 6 months since Oberyn's death, and Rose still hid beneath black fabric dress that poofed around her, her eyes ringed with red. She was unusually quiet, most of her days spent looking over the bay or gardens below, anything to prevent contact with others. She limited herself; caring and dotting around behind Oberyn's children when they needed her, or helping Ellaria in some or occasionally breaking fast with Doran - besides from that she spoke to no one, engaged in nothing. She couldn't remember the last time she had written home, they most likely hadn't even heard the news.

It was uncommon this behaviour, Dorne had felt it once before with Elia and her children's deaths, and now they feel it with Oberyn. Doran was similar in a way to Rose as they sat in the morning looking over the garden, both as quiet as each other. They felt no need to talk or to move, just content in sitting in silence. Fresh fruit was cut on a plate between them, neither one reaching for the succulent fruit. Rose played with the ruffle on her skirt, her fingers stroking against the gathered fabric. Doren still designed the most beautiful dresses, even if he did have a limited colour palette to work from - greys and blacks not quite bringing out the Martell flare like reds and oranges.

Her hand found the fine china cup, lifting it to her lips before sipping on the tea. The taste unique in its kind, sweetened with honey that harmonised the camomille. "The Prince does not wish to be disturbed." Areo muttered, his voice strong against the silence of courtyard. Rose turned her head, glancing over her shoulder at the large guard that stood in the way of the door frame, blocking her view of who was there.

"Remove yourself from my path or I'll take that long axe and shove it up-"

"Captain." Doran called over, his eyes glancing to where Rose looked, the back of the guard who stood in the woman's way. "Let her pass." He called, Rose watching as the hulking guard let the lithe woman through.

Rose could visibly see the scars that Oberyn had left on the family, Ellaria's fury raging like a hungry beast as her dark eyes fell to the two leaders. She was more than angry as her black dress sweeped in, the hem barely gracing the floor as pressed leather wove tight around her body. "Your brother was murdered." She began, the large shoulder pads rising high against her neck, the cloak shielding her arms. "And you sit here in the Water Gardens staring at the sky and doing nothing." She hissed, her attention remaining on Doran.

"Oberyn was slain during a trial by combat by law, that is no murder." Doran spat back, his eyes not leaving the expanse of the gardens. It was beautiful here, Rose couldn't deny that; the place holding a particular beauty that she saw in Oberyn and his girls. Dornish beauty, Elia had it too.

Ellaria stepped closer. "Your brother." She emphasised, the word slipping from her lips like a curse.