Tatiana was restless. She needed to get out of this damned castle. It was driving her mad.

Oberyn had been in and out all morning. He was still helping his men plan an attack, if it resulted in Lord Werther's army attacking them first.

Tatiana ached for alone time with Oberyn. She thought of how he'd taken her to the white castle all those weeks ago.

She wanted to return. She wanted to turn back time, before Lord Werther decided to turn the tables on them and declare war.

Tatiana sighed. She decided to walk through the halls of the castle. She hadn't seen all of it yet. Perhaps she'd find something intriguing that would take her mind off this senseless violence.

>>>>>>

Oberyn was searching for Tatiana. The servants had informed him that she'd decided to tour the castle more thoroughly.

Oberyn knew Tatiana was restless and uneasy. He felt the same. He reached the top floors and spotted Tatiana coming towards him.

He saw her eyes light up at the sight of him and it made Oberyn's heart fill with tenderness towards her.

"Here you are," Oberyn said, taking Tatiana's dainty hand and raising it to his lips. Tatiana flushed, but remained composed.

She rather liked the effect that Oberyn had on her. For all his faults, he was indeed every bit as charming as a more polished man.

"I beg your pardon, my lord," Tatiana said, touching Oberyn's face. He smiled at this small act of intimacy.

"I was bored and needing a distraction."

"Do not apologize," Oberyn said. "This is your home now. You're free to go wherever you wish."

Tatiana kissed Oberyn and he gripped her hips tightly, backing her up against the wall as they're kissing grew more heated and intense.

"Oberyn?"

"Yes, my love?"

"I truly wish you weren't challenged in this manner. You're the rightful heir to Dorne. Why must Lord Werther insist differently?"

"Because he's an asshole, who thinks he's better suited to run this place."

"Oh, Oberyn. I'm..frightened for you."

"There, there, my princess. I shall prevail in the end. Don't you fret." Oberyn tenderly cradled Tatiana's face in his hands.

She smiled, touching his beard. That was the moment when she realized how much she loved Oberyn Martell.

>>>>>>

Ellaria stood on the edge of the palace grounds. From where she was staying, she could just make out the shadows of Oberyn and Tatiana.

She silently seethed as she saw Oberyn's leading Tatiana out on to the balcony. Her heart began pounding, as she remembered how tender he was towards her.

Until this..whore appeared and took her sacred place beside her beloved Oberyn. He was hers damnit! Oberyn Martell belonged to her!

Not this weak minded whore, who thought all she needed to do was smile prettily at Oberyn and he'd fall at her feet, completely enamored by her.

Princess Tatiana was nothing more than a charlatan. She played her part well. But Ellaria knew if came down to it, Tatiana would be crushed under the pressure.

Ellaria was going to prove to Oberyn that he'd made a grave mistake by wedding this spoiled little bitch.

He'd see what Tatiana was truly made of once she was put in a delicate position. And Ellaria would once again, be at Oberyn's side, where she belonged.

>>>>>

"How do you propose to get her back?" Murray watched Thane drown himself in his sorrows by drinking as much wine as he could get his hands on.

Thane was sprawled out on a couch, completely shit faced and had been bellowing on and on about how his true love was being held against her will.

Murray knew it was only the damn wine speaking. Not Thane. He went over to pour himself a cup of wine and drank it down.

"Another bottle, my good man!" Thane had a stupid smile on his face. Murray knew he'd be unconscious within minutes. He'd already drank five bottles of wine.

"I do believe that you've had plenty to drink, my lord. Perhaps it'd be for the best if you didn't have any more."

"Nonsense! Tatiana will be joining us any moment now! We must be hospitable and have plenty of wine!"

Murray sighed, setting his cup aside and calling for another guard to assist him in getting Thane to his bed chambers.

"How good of you to assist me, kind sir!" Murray shook his head. If only Thane would be such a jovial mood once the effects of the wine wore off.

Unfortunately Thane would be more cross than an old bear, once the wine wore off.

The guard helped Murray get Thane into his bed and he thanked and dismissed him.

"Oh, Murray?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"I don't suppose you could bring me some more wine?" The moment the words left his mouth, he slumped back against the cushions on his bed, completely unconscious.

Murray went to pull Thane's boots off and pulled a blanket up over him. Murray stepped back.

He turned, leaving Thane's bed chambers and leaned against the wall. There was going to be hell when Thane regained consciousness. And Murray wanted an excuse to be far away from here when it happened.

>>>>>>

"Your highness, Lord Werther has arrived to see you." Tatiana tensed up, twisting her fingers together nervously.

She was frightened of what the bastard might try and do to Oberyn. Tatiana knew that Oberyn was strong and crafty. But it still concerned her.

"Send the bastard in!" Oberyn ordered in a thundering voice. Tatiana stared at his face. His expression reminded her of the sky as a storm was brewing on the horizon.

"Oh, Oberyn," she whispered, her heart pounding as Lord Werther dared to step into the throne room.

"You have quite the nerve to show your face here!" Oberyn's voice boomed, echoing off the walls.

Lord Werther merely smiled smugly as he approached Oberyn. He gave an exaggerated bow, as if he only wished to mock Oberyn's royal position.

"I do dare, your highness. Or should I address you as your former highness?"

"Do not show such disrespect for your prince," Oberyn growled. Tatiana was sitting on the edge of her throne, ready to defend Oberyn, if necessary.

"You'll not be in power for much longer, Oberyn," Lord Werther taunted. "I shall rise up, destroy you and your child bride, taking my rightful place upon the throne of Dorne!"

Tatiana stood to her feet, her anger spilling out.

"Surrender now, Lord Werther. Do not set this senseless battle into play. If you do as we willingly ask, your life and the life of your wife shall be spared."

Lord Werther laughed. Tatiana wanted to fly at him, beat him until he was bloody and broken, unable to move by his own power. To be rendered completely helpless.

"I'll do no such thing, you child bitch! I will see myself put upon your thrones by the next full moon! Mark my words: war is going to tear this country apart."

Oberyn moved swiftly to Lord Werther. Tatiana saw the small dagger, hidden up Oberyn's sleeve. She wasn't certain she could watch what he was going to do.

Yet she wanted to see the pain etched in Lord Werther's face as Oberyn stabbed the bastard in the back.

Quite as lightening, Oberyn's dagger was pressed into Lord Werther's right arm. He screamed out in pain, the sound nearly shattering Tatiana's ear drums.

"This is merely a sample of what you'll receive when you decide to come for me and my princess."

Oberyn stepped back, as Lord Werther clutched his wounded arm, blood dripping down and covering the area where he stood.

"Get out of my castle. And do not show your face here again or I shall be forced to cut your head off."

The guards helped Lord Werther exit the castle. Tatiana ran down to Oberyn, reaching out for him.

He dropped the bloody dagger, blood clinging to his fingers as Tatiana held him close.

"I am sorry you had to witness such a horrible sight, my princess." Tatiana took Oberyn's head in her hands.

"It's all right, my Oberyn. Next time, when he comes for you, I want to be there, when you make the final blow that kills him."