POV: Mellario Martell
Dorne, Water Gardens
The day was bright in the Water Gardens of Dorne, and the sun's warm rays danced upon the surface of the crystal-clear pool. Mellario, Prince Doran's wife and mother of Arianne and Quentyn Martell, reclined beneath a towering palm tree, its fronds swaying gently in rhythm with her thoughts. She watched Arianne chase after iridescent birds flitting among vibrant blossoms—her laughter like music that blended seamlessly with nature's symphony.
"She will grow into a fine woman," Mellario mused, pride swelling within her as she observed her daughter's spirited joy. The gardens were alive today; every petal seemed to shimmer with secrets held from afar.
Mellario shifted slightly in her chair, casting a glance toward Ellaria Sand at their side who accompanied her to visit the garden—a striking figure of beauty and strength preparing fresh juice from ripe pomegranates. "Just a bit more sugar, please," she requested softly, holding out an ornate cup etched with intricate designs.
Ellaria nodded knowingly and sprinkled sweet crystals over the ruby-red liquid before turning her gaze toward Arianne. "She sure loves chasing after those birds," she remarked with genuine warmth.
Mellario smiled. "Yes, she's always been fascinated by them."
The two women lapsed into comfortable silence for a moment, absorbing both sunlight and tranquility that enveloped them like an embrace. Then Ellaria broke it once more. "Your baby is so adorable, princess," she said affectionately while glancing at Quentyn nestled beside Mellario on a soft blanket. "He looks just he looks like you… except for his eyes." A giggle escaped her lips.
Mellario chuckled. "Yes, he's quite the little charmer. I think he'll have no trouble winning hearts when he grows up."
Ellaria nodded in agreement. "I have no doubt about that, princess. And speaking of babies, I've been wanting one of my own for a while now."
Surprise flickered across Mellario's face as she regarded Ellaria anew; there was an earnestness behind those playful eyes that intrigued her deeply. "Really? I didn't know that."
Blushing slightly under the sun's glow, Ellaria confessed shyly yet resolutely: "Yes! I think it's time I had one… though I do hope it's a girl so I can teach her all I've learned."
Mellario laughed heartily at this notion—imaging a child full of fire and ambition raised by such spirited hands was delightful indeed. "Perhaps you'll have a little girl who resembles you perfectly."
As they exchanged dreams woven between laughter and sunlight, Arianne bounded back towards them—breathless but beaming—a vision of youthful exuberance dancing amidst flowers kissed by golden rays.
"Mother! May I hold Quentyn?" Her voice rang clear against the backdrop of chirping birds.
Mellario hesitated only briefly before nodding tenderly—her heart brimming with trust for Arianne's nurturing spirit even amidst protective caution lingering in maternal instinct. "Of course darling," she said softly yet firmly when needed most. "But be careful; he is still so small but you can show him the beauty of our gardens," she replied, motioning for Alysanne to fetch her brother.
Arianne's face lit up brighter than any bloom surrounding them as she hurried over to cradle Quentyn from his cradle—a delicate bundle swaddled snugly against fabrics rich in hues reminiscent of dusk skies glowing after sunset.
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POV: Arianne Martell
Arianne cradled baby Quentyn close to her chest—a tender smile gracing her lips as he gazed up at her wide-eyed wonderment mirrored back through their shared connection akin to magic itself binding siblings together since time immemorial.
"Let's show him the birds!" She declared excitedly while stepping carefully towards clusters where colorful creatures fluttered playfully between branches adorned by vivid blossoms brushing against azure skies above them—their songs mingling harmoniously beneath whispering winds urging life forward endlessly onward…
Holding Quentyn aloft so he could see better made delight bloom brightly within her heart—it felt right somehow… fulfilling even—to share this moment filled with innocence untouched yet fraught alongside growing responsibilities looming ahead far too soon for comfort…
"You like them don't you little brother?" She cooed playfully watching him giggle cheerily at all wonders surrounding him—not unlike herself when first discovering delights hidden among these gardens bursting forth vibrantly each season anew!
Arianne couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and protectiveness towards her baby brother. She knew she had to take care of him, just like a big sister should.
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POV: Quentyn Martell
Quentyn looked up at his sister Arianne with a smile. She was such a kind and gentle soul, always looking out for him. As he gazed into her eyes, he felt a sense of love and connection with her.
He marveled silently not only at his sister but also everything else unfolding around him here sheltered deep within these tranquil gardens brimming alive far beyond mere desert vastness painted through memory alone...
Rich vegetation stretched endlessly around—a lush realm teeming vibrantly unlike anything he had imagiare from dorne. he thought there was only sand in this place. But here he is, in a place so beautiful and peaceful and rich in nature — Maybe I can recreate the Gardens of Babylon in this place. But that's for the future, I have to focus on what needs to be done now.
Quentyn gazed at Arianne as she twirled a delicate flower in her fingers, her laughter a soothing balm that washed over him like a gentle breeze. But beneath that serene surface, a tempest brewed within him, twisting the roots of his thoughts deep into troubled soil. As much as he likes this moment he has to prepare himself for what is to come.
"I have to think about the difficulties I may encounter. But first of all I have to know myself and the mistakes that I can comment on this journey". He thought to himself — First of all, like all humans, I am a hypocrite. I used to criticize some attitudes of people I didn't know but when someone close to me did something worse, I usually ignored it. Of course, as long as it wasn't a crime because otherwise I would tell him to stop. "I preach compassion while my heart often hardens against those who fail to understand." He thought back to moments when he had dismissed others' struggles as mere folly. "How easy it is," he thought bitterly, "to cast stones when one resides within a palace."
As if reading his mind, Arianne twirled him around, her laughter echoing through blooms of purple and gold. Yet Quentyn couldn't shake off another fear — the arrogance that could corrupt his soul. He possessed knowledge. This knowledge is a blessing but it could turn into a curse if I'm not careful. Knowing the plot that will happen and people's personalities and motivations can affect the way I see myself. Furthermore, there is the fact that I will go through the growth process all over again, and hormones can influence my way of thinking if I don't take care.
Would knowing too much make him blind? would power corrupt him? Could it warp him into someone cruel? These are questions he asks himself, even though he already has the answers, and that scares him. "If you want to test a man's character, give him power". He thought of the infamous phrase — If I were Gilgamesh, Escanor or Satoru Gojo from this universe I wouldn't have anything to worry about. But even a small wound can kill me if I'm not careful.
The blood of his ancestors whispered caution; every child born of House Martell carried the weight of its legacy, coupled with the expectation of greatness. He knows how quickly one's environment could shape a person; would he become a product of his time, a cruel man whose heart hardened as the world around him grew grimmer? He shivered at the thought — My uncle worked as a police officer and he said that the moment he no longer cares about the lives he takes in the profession, even though it is self-defense, it will be time to stop. But here I don't have the benefit of stopping.
But could there be a way to guard against these temptations? Could he cultivate a sense of empathy and understanding, not just within himself, but across his followers? An idea flirted with the edges of his mind, pushing at the boundaries of his imagination—what if he founded a profession? A group of advisors, those who could help shape his family and people's psyche against the harsh winds of adversity. He envisioned a psychologist, a confidante trained to untangle the knots of anxiety and despair that tormented my mind. But at the same time he thought. "It's not a good idea to share your secrets and insecurities with anyone, especially here, where everyone can be a spy or have intentions against you". He thinks to himself with a clear expression of irritation.
Just then, Arianne's laughter pierced through his thoughts breaking his concentration. "What's wrong little Quentyn doesn't like birds? Maybe you're tired, let's go back to mama". She said. The weight of his plans and forethought dissolved momentarily as he embraced her.
When she took him back to where their mother was sitting Mellario took him from his sister's arms and asked. " Did you have fun with your brother Arianne?".
"Hmmm, yes mama I had a lot of fun, I showed him a lot of birds and butterflies!". Arianne exclaimed joyfully.
"How wonderful dear, now come sit with us and have a drink". Say Mellario with a smile and eyes full of affection for her children.
As her warmth enveloped him, Quentyn's thoughts turned to their mother—steadfast, nurturing—but what else could she be? A pillar upon which to build his limits. After all, he will need people he can trust and respect, so if he is getting lost he can reflect what the person said, and his family can be that lighthouse for him to find himself and not get lost.
He remembers his past life. Whenever he was about to throw trash on the floor, memories of his mother lecturing him as a child came to his mind and he ended up waiting until he found a garbage can. That made him make a little smile.
Quentyn stepped back slightly from his mother's chest, meeting his sister's sparkling gaze. Perhaps together they could forge a better future and blossom something worthy of the name Martell.
However before that I have to solve the problem that will happen after the tournament. "I have an idea for that, but for achieve this I have to start talking". he thought. But while he was making his plans in his mind, the weight of being a baby ends up weighing him and he feels his eyes weigh down and the darkness dominates him. "being a baby sucks!". Was his last thought before falling asleep in his mother's warm arms.