#ellaria

You never tired of seeing them, and not just them. You loved all the animals you cared for in the conservatory. The stingrays were next, then the fish. You went about your day like normal, feeding the animals, helping the ones who had injuries - cleaning enclosures and helping out with the gift shop when needed.

It had started as a volunteering job when you were in your teens. You’d come on a field trip and you could remember how happy it made you that these animals who would surely have died out in the wild had a happy home here. After that trip you had made up your mind that you’d work here and help, and now you did.

You were setting up the display shelf in the gift shop when Theo walked in, easy smile on his face.

“If Tim sees you he’ll lose his mind.” You said it to him only half joking.

“Tim needs to chill out. What time are you done?” He sat on the counter, watching you work.

“Done at 5pm, same time as every day.” You continued working, he came in most days, and asked the same question.

“Think you can skip out a bit early?” He was fiddling around with the key-chain display beside him.

“No, she cannot. Do you not have somewhere to be?” Tim walked in with a box and set it on the counter beside him. Theo smiled at him, bright as ever.

“Nope. It’s gorgeous out, shouldn’t waste the day.” He hopped down off the counter, clapping Tim on the back. “Text me when you’re done, I’ll come pick you up.” He was speaking to you now and you agreed. Despite everything, Tim liked Theo, most people did.

“If you really want you can go, it’s pretty dead today. Just need you to arrange these on the empty shelf.” He set the box next to you, it wasn’t too much.

“Sure - thanks Tim.” You got to work.

You walked out into the sunshine an hour later, it was still pretty early in the day and you wanted to take the time for yourself. You made your way over to the beach.

---

It had been so long since he’d risen, not counting the brief moment he took to bring her to the shore. He was smaller in his human form, golden skin and black hair.

He looked up at the sky, smiling at his brother and dressing in his colours. The cloak which was usually used to camouflage himself in the water now stood out. Transformed into buttery yellow robes which by the looks of it were a bit outdated. He hid himself among the big boulders on the beach and shifted them to something more modern, taking inspiration from the people he saw walking around.

He sat by the beach, soaking in the warmth of the sun for a moment when he felt her. The invisible mark his palm had left on her chest was calling to him and he waited until he could see her, it didn’t take long.

She was slowly making her way down the path leading to the sand, she looked lovely in this light and he couldn’t help but smile. Her brow pinched and she pulled something out of her pocket and held it to her ear. Communication had come a long way since the last time he’d been up and he watched her expression change from slight annoyance to a happy sort of acceptance. He didn’t approach her yet, and decided to only step in if she made her way into the water.

She didn’t though, she seemed content to sit in the warm sand and stare out at the waves. A man came bounding towards her and he tensed for a moment until it became obvious she knew him. He sat beside her and the king watched as they spoke, at first he thought they might be lovers - but no, there was love there- but not romantically. Wouldn’t have bothered him either way. He had to speak to her.

---

“What’s the plan for the rest of the day?” He asked as he continuously sifted sand through his fingers. You couldn’t help but do the same.

“Nothing really, I wanted to go to the water gardens, read a bit.” You were halfway through your book and the water gardens were your favourite place to spend the afternoon, aside from the beach of course. A shadow blocked your vision slightly and you had to cover your eyes to look up.

A man made of gold was standing in front of you.

“Good afternoon, I was wondering if you could tell me the time?” He smiled brightly, his teeth were pearl bright, his eyes a piercing black. It sent a shiver down your spine, in a good way.

“Sure, It’s quarter to four.” Theo responded, his arm flicked out to check his watch, but this man's eyes were trained on you, they remained on you as he answered.

“Thank you.” He had a slight lilt, the accent you heard on some of the older people in the city. He seemed so familiar.

“It’s a lovely day isn’t it?” He was watching you and you couldn’t help but gawk slightly, you couldn’t explain it, but you felt a warmth radiating out of your chest.

“Yes - lovely.” You responded.

“I’m Theo.” He offered his hand and introduced you as well, the stranger repeated your name, almost tasting it.

“I am Oberyn.” He shook Theo’s hand, and then yours.

“Like the ocean-king.” You said it automatically. He smiled even brighter.

“Don’t you mean the prince? I thought they called him the Prince of Dorne?” Theo was looking at you now, Oberyn crouched down to be at your level - waiting for your answer. You could feel the heat licking up your face but you continued anyway.

“They call him that, but he’s actually a king. He rules the ocean, that’s the story anyway. My grandmother used to tell me about him.” You finished a little softer.

“What else did your grandmother tell you?” His voice was like velvet, it enveloped you.

“Um, she told me that he lives way down deep in the water, and that he has many daughters. Krakens and Leviathans, even mermaids too. I think he also has a queen?” You couldn’t remember.

“Ellaria.” He responded smiling.

“Yes! Ellaria, I don’t remember much about her.” He sat as you spoke, his arms resting on his knees.

“I don’t remember ever hearing about Ellaria, who was she?” Theo’s face was full of confusion.

“She’s the ocean herself, Oberyn's paramour.” He said it ruefully, as though he had a secret.

“That sounds so romantic.” You smiled at the thought. The king of the ocean being in love with the ocean itself, herself.

“I suppose it is.” He smiled. “Did your grandmother tell you of Oberyn’s siblings?” He was testing you now.

“No she didn’t, who are his siblings?” Your curiosity piqued.

“His brother Doran, is the sun, and his lovely sister Elia, is the moon.” He said it kindly, a teacher speaking to a favoured student.

“Well, you learn something every day. I had no idea about any of that to be honest.” Theo was laughing goodnaturedly as you thought over his words. How lovely to think that a family watched over you at all times.

“Oh careful, don’t want to get pinched.” Theo pointed to a little crab walking towards Oberyn.

“He’s okay, just curious.” He watched the little creature, it walked towards his ankle and for a moment you thought the crab might pinch him after all but it never did. Just seemed content to be beside him.

“Seems to like you, you should be working at the conservatory.” Theo made the comment offhand but your stomach lurched at the thought of seeing this man every day. It was strange, you’d seen handsome men before, never had they made you feel like he did. When he looked in your eyes you felt beautiful and insignificant at the same time.

He tilted his head in confusion.

“There’s an ocean wildlife conservatory just down the street, that’s where I work.” The heat was licking up your chest again and you felt your ears burning. His gaze was so intense it made you shy. Theo was oblivious.

“Yeah it’s pretty cool. I like the turtles.” He was getting up now. “Want me to drop you off at the gardens?” Theo was dusting the sand off his legs as he rose and Oberyn rushed to offer you his hand.

You took it graciously, letting him help you rise off the ground. A curious feeling flowed through you at his touch, a warmth deep in your chest; in your skin. It had nothing to do with the sun shining on you.

“Thank you.” You were a little hesitant to let his hand go and for a moment you thought he might be too but you did.

“It was lovely to meet you. Perhaps we’ll see each other again soon.” His smile was bright and sharp, a colourful lure reeling you in. He walked away before you could respond.

“Nice guy, little intense but nice.” Theo commented as you made your way to his car.

“Yeah, really nice.” You agreed.

I hope I do see you again.

——-

It was hard not to think about him, especially at the gardens. They were named for Oberyn the Ocean king but since they shared this name he was in the forefront of your mind. Oberyn was the mascot for Sunspear, the city you lived in. He was -incorrectly named- the Prince of Dorne and he had up until then, been faceless.

Now he had a face.

Now when you saw the name on the little plaque near the big fountain you pictured the man at the beach. Tall and golden, beautiful; Regal.

The thoughts wouldn’t let you read. Instead you watched the fountains, watched the birds take flight, watched the people walking around. This place really was lovely. You vaguely wondered if he’d like it, thought about how much you’d like to see him again.

It caught you off guard - the man you briefly met at the beach was for all intents and purposes a stranger, no matter how familiar he seemed.

You’ll probably never see him again.

There were big fruit trees all around, flowers and birds. A little slice of paradise within paradise. The sun was shining through the limbs of the tree, the light coming through was separated into strands and it refracted into prisms of light when it hit the water. It was always gorgeous, no matter how many times you saw it, yet still, thoughts of him persisted.

----

He couldn’t stop thinking about her.

He was drifting in the water, letting it surround him while his mind was back on land. The water was his home, and generally he preferred to be down in the deep. This girl, though - she made him want to leave, she made him want to be ashore and he didn’t know how to feel about it. He dove deeper, wanting to be in the dark.

Thinking about her again lover? This girl has bewitched you.

Ellaria was playful, almost teasing and he smiled - she could read his every thought as though it were written across his face. He felt her drifting across is seal-thick skin, notes the way his cloak drifted around him, camouflaging him from anything that happened to catch a glimpse.

Maybe. Maybe she occupies my thoughts. He matched her tone and he heard that tinkling laugh again, no jealousy, who or what could compete with her?

Go to her then, woo her, love her - while she still has time. Her caress was whisper soft and despite his distaste for her meaning, he sighed softly.

Oh I plan to. He said nothing more, and neither did she.

——--

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