Daenya's Room

Again the two men glanced at one another. "A washerwoman doesn't ride. I don't think a horse will be allowed, m'lady. I thought you just wanted a little walk around the city or something."

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Daenya is visited in her cell Quentyn Martell, the younger son of Princess Sarella, with whom she is already acquainted. "Princess Daenya," he said with a friendly smile. "Here, I brought some wine to share with you. I thought you might be lonely."

Quentyn grinned, unconcerned by her reaction. "You know, I had a thought of marrying you when we first met. But Mother wouldn't hear of it. but I suppose you wouldn't want that either. Though it is a pity."

He offered her the wineskin. "Here, you'll feel better."

Quentyn shrugged. "Fine. I was perfectly willing to be your friend. My mother didn't want me to come at all, but I persuaded her that even princesses need friends. Isn't that what you came for? To make friends? Why reject a friend now, when you most need one?"

"I understand why. I'm not defending my mother's actions. That's why I wanted to come. Mother hates your people and always has. But Trystane and I are not cut from the same cloth. My brother died by Targaryen hands but I know that wasn't your fault. I don't hate you. Mother thinks I should, but I don't."

He took a swig of wine, "You shouldn't have come, Princess. Dorne is not a good place for a Targaryen. But you do need a friend, and I'm the only one you've got. Ser Aurane spoke well of you, but he's dead now. Trystane might have helped you, if Aurane weren't dead. So that leaves me."

He took another swig of wine. "I meant what I said, you know. I'd have married you if you wanted to stay. I can't bear the thought of marrying some good little wife who does what I say, like Trystane's wife."

"An ally with blood of the dragon. My brother thinks Dorne cannot repulse your kind forever. He is forever on about having to reach some accord with your family, for the mutual benefit of both Dorne and the Iron Throne." He drank soem more wine. "Mother won't give the money back, you know. Spoils of war, she's calling it, and payment for your bed and board. She's sent a ransom note to your father, but then we heard he died, so I don't know who would have got the letter in his place. Will your kin pay it?"

"In part, perhaps. I cannot just let you walk out of here, of course. But perhaps I can help you some other way, if you will let me. Mother will let you have freedom of the castle if you promise to behave well until the ransom comes. But it won't be long, surely, and you will be free. Your cousin is still here. Did you know that? He seems to have made Dorne his home now."

"You'll never be able to do those things without deceiving my mother, somehow," Quentyn confided. "I'd like to help you, but there's nothing in it for me as far as I can tell. It would mean risking my own life to outwardly disobey the Princess of Dorne, even though she's my own mother. And I haven't the money to pay off your ransom myself, and have your kin pay it back to me instead."

He eyed her with something like pity. "I do feel for you."

He was silent for a moment, maybe thinking. "I have one idea, but you'd have to do somrthing for me if I am to help you."

"I want you, Princess," he said. "In the songs, the lady rewards the knight for rescuing her, isn't that so? I want my due. As to helping you, it may take some time. You're guarded day and night. It would be easier if you were to become my mistress."

He grinned at her. "See, that's the best part. I'm a Prince of Dorne, so there's no insult to you. But if you were my mistress, and I were to go to the Water Gardens, or elsewhere, you'd come too. And I'd be there to look after you, so it wouldn't be like you were running away. Or you could marry me, like I said." He saluted her with the wineskin. "That would be even better. for me, anyway. We could make a kingdom of our own on the Stepstones."

She raelises that he may perhaps have been drinking before he came, though he looks on her with obvious desire.

Quentyn grinned. "We'll worry about that when the time comes. I can't help you with the money though. But I meant what I said. You're mine so long as you stay with us. Or you won't get to see the Water Gardens at all."