You think you can ask for prompts and not get one from me? And for my second fave guys?! Alright so you know I love Martells sticking the middle finger to the dragonlords Targaryens conquerors so prompts! Pick: Meria Martell telling Nymor never to bow to the Targs OR Deria remembering her grandmother as she goes to negotiate to King's Landing.
Meria Martell is tired now, tired in a way that she has never been beforebut she still has her wits, and she will use them for Dorne for as long as theyremain. Dorne has need of her. Nymor has need of her. He has long been a mangrown but she fears that he is still unprepared for his burden.
âDornehas no king,â she insists. âDorne will never have a king.â
Nymor is silent and although Meria cannot see his face she knowshe is tired too. His weariness is not all borne from age. Her son loves hispeople and suffers when they suffer. He knows better than to question herorders, but Meria knows he has doubted their course of action through the DragonâsWroth.
âTell me, my son. Why did the Rhoynar flee their homes?â
She feels him stiffen beside her.
âThe war with the Valyrians,â he says quietly.
Meria knows he understands, but she needs more from him.
âWhatare these Targaryens, if not Valyrians?â she asks. âThey would have uskneel to them. They set our rivers on fire as they once did on the Rhoyne. Theywill not drive us from this home,but we will never kneel.Promise me, Nymor.â
âI promise, mother, but how can we withstand them?â
She reaches for him, feeling her way in the darkness. Her handfinds his shoulder.
âI know you fear the death of our people. We have three weapons.Two are on our banners.â
âThe sun and the spear. The sun has served us well.â
His voice grows stronger.
âOur wits serve us evenbetter,â Meria proclaims. âThey will always underestimate us. Aegon andhis remaining queen will think you old and weak because you cannot joinbattle. They think the Dornish to be cowardly because we use ouradvantages well. You must use your advantages.â
She feels him noddingagreement.
âWe will not win peacethrough war, mother,â he whispers.
A whisper can be heard justas a shout can be heard, and Meria cannot let this whisper spread.
âWe will not surrender, myson.â
She knows her remaining daysare few. Nymor will do what he will once she is gone, but Dorne will not accepta surrender. Even a whisper will stir revolt, and Deria, for all her talents,will be unable to calm it if Nymor suggests that Dorne kneel.
âI do not speak of surrender,âNymor replies, louder now. âI will not surrender but I am tired of war. Dorne hassuffered, but Aegon and his sister have suffered too.â
He hesitates, taking a breath.
âThere is another way, onethat may be worth the trying.â
Meria thinks for a moment. Itis true that her son does not have the stomach for a prolonged and bloody resistance, butNymor has always been clever, mayhaps cleverer than her. If there is anotherway she should not be surprised if he has found it.
âI am listening,â she tellshim.
Nymorâs voice is quiet, conspiratorial,but it grows stronger in the telling. Meria smiles. She will not live to executethis plan, but that is for the best. Dorne will be safe with Nymor and Deria, Dornewill remain free, she knows this now.
Her son is as ready as hewill ever be.
Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.