Her hands dirtied the clear water, blood and dirt mixed together, combined with the gloomy skies above her made for a terrible result.

Strange, she thought, the morning broke and it seemed to mourn with her.

She looked up, taking note of the river they stopped at, it was barren, untouched by man. Covered by thick green trees and only wet dirt to allow them to access the river. Near her one of the horses drank water, dark brown with white spots their newest companion had been a savior.

Elaine and her had run for quite some time after crossing the twins, and then they'd found 2 horses and a cart abandoned by its owner. She imagined the horses had ran from the bloodshed like them.

Elaine had been quick to gain their trust and off the two had gone, they'd ran for most of the night, off the trail but sticking by the kingsroad. It wasn't until dawn started to break and Victoria had felt far enough away that she agreed to rest.

"We need to talk." Elaine spoke for the first time in quite some time. Once they'd settled near the rivers edge she'd built a fire while Victoria had tended to the horses. One of them now slept under a shaded tree and the other had awoken to drink water. Victoria had stayed by the rivers edge cleaning off the dirt and dried blood that still coated her. She was in a thin nightgown, having scrubbed her clothes clean in the river now she waited for them to dry.

Elaine stood and walked over, the water had just begun to clear when she stuck her hands in and soiled. She cupped her hands and used some to dunk her face in.

Victoria watched her for a moment, slightly shivers went down her spine at the ice water but nonetheless she nodded, "yes, we do."

"You haven't said much, are you okay?" Elaine questioned, drinking some of the water.

Victoria stared down, she swallowed thickly, fighting the trembling, "I'm not quite sure, everything feels dull. In all honestly I'm hoping I stay in this state. I don't know if I could survive another heartache."

Elaine's blue eyes trailed down, "did he..."

Victoria shook her head, "no, I killed him before he got the chance. What about you?"

Elaine shook her head, "he got pretty fucking close, but he never saw the blade at his throat."

She pulled out the aforementioned dagger and began scrapping the dried blood away, "how is the child."

"Children," Victoria corrected, her dream felt close again. "Right before I woke up I had a strange dream, twins were carrying me to Robb and another child. I think that one was my first, and the two I held are with me now. Robb, he looked sad, defeated but also worried. He warned me to run, I think he may have saved me."

Elaine thought for some time, possibly contemplating what her Lady had seen and wondering if maybe Robb Stark had truly never been so selfish. She took a deep breath and nodded. "Twins, well I guess it's fitting. Any discomfort?"

Victoria shook her head, "no, thank the gods."

"Let's pray it stays that way," Elaine nodded and stood, she extended her hand and helped Victoria stand. The brunette grunted but got to her feet. They walked over to the horses and the small fire. "We need to get going, I'll take head and you stay hidden for as long as you can in the cart. If we make it near the trident we can afford to stay some days, maybe sell one of the horses and save enough for food. After that we have some decision to make."

"My Uncle Oberyn is headed to Kingslanding for Joffrey's wedding. If we get there unnoticed we may be able to get near him without the Lannisters finding out." Victoria commented, she walked over to her drying clothes.

"How would we find him?" Elaine questioned, she was beginning to grow worries, things had gone far too well for them and quite honestly they should be dead now. She began to feel like they were running on borrowed time and the one shot they'd received to a pleasant death had long been gone.

"If we find the biggest brothel there he will be present," Victoria commented. She grabbed her dress and began to slide it down her body, covering her growing belly. She wanted to cradle the children growing there, to know that indeed they would be safe far away.

"Alright, I guess we should start heading out." Elaine squeezed the rest of her hair dry. "Maybe we can find a small village where we can rest."

Victoria went to nod, agreeing and slightly praying that at they very least this plan would go accordingly.

Elaine suddenly stood, her head looking around, "why is it so quiet? Where have the birds gone?"

Victoria jumped up, turning her body as the sounds of hooves overwhelmed them. It became stronger and faster until their backs were to the waters and a dozen armed guards came right at them. A carriage was off to the side, pausing closely by.

Their silver armor and pale colored guard colors stood out amongst the wetness of the river lands and Victoria swallowed stiffly as her back touch Elaine and the two awaited a move.

"House Arryn," Elaine muffled softly to her and took a step in front.

Victoria had briefly heard the conversation over the Vale, their refusal to become involved even when Lady Arryn was sister to Lady Stark. She wondered what they did this far west, and why they stood here now.

Behind them another 3 riders come into sight, and a man in a navy coat began to descend his horse.

"Lady Valiente," the man said. He was pale, a thin beard lined his jaw and upper lip. He called to her like an old friend and she tensed.

Victoria tightened her grip on the knife, feeling her knuckles scream against her grip she grit her teeth, "who are you? What do you want?"

"I'm Petyr Baelish, my Lady," he stepped closer perhaps confident that she would come to him. "I've come on behalf of your uncle, he asked me to make sure you made it safely out of the twins. I heard word of the attack and rushed to tell your aid, unfortunately by the time my knights arrived to save you it was too late. We followed your trail until it was safe to approach."

"Petyr Baelish," Victoria repeated his name, both her and Elaine shared a glimpse of one another. Neither could decide wether to trust the man, after the night they'd had and the men they'd encountered it felt wrong, still, his name struck a chord. She nudged Elaine back, "Lady Stark has spoken of you."

"Aye," he nodded, his lips attempted a soft smile but something told her this was no sincere gesture. A smile seemed odd upon his face but she held stiff and wondered if this was truly the man. "I knew Lady Stark when we were your age, we used to run through these forests together."

"How do I know you're not lying?" Victoria questioned, arching a brow and lifting her knife. She had enough of men trying to gain her affection at this point, nothing but cold hard evidence would effectively gain even the slightest bit of trust.

Petyr felt entertained, she was exactly as had been rumored. He could see the northern stubbornness in her stance, and the Dornish valor within the way she expertly held the knife even the specks of blood that trailed her neckline reminded him of the ruthlessness a Targaryen reign once brought on. She stood tall and bravely, her handmaiden beside her mirroring the Lady. Ricardo Valiente had once spoke of his daughter in the way most men wished to speak of their male heirs.

"Victoria is many things, but for every feminine trait she carries with grace there is a distinguished amount of fire that rivals it. She holds the best parts of a beauty and a warrior within her."

Petyr Baelish couldn't help but agree, despite what the Lannisters had tried so desperately to make the world believe of her.

Victoria felt her heart drumming louder the longer he simply stared, and she suddenly wondered if they would be able to swim the rivers safely.

"Lady Valiente, you do not understand the value your life holds right now. It's the mere thread holding your Uncle Oberyn from attacking, it was only the thought of you being harmed that nearly drove your family to take a Lannister hostage but I stopped them. Your life ensures the lives of many of us." He attempted to reason with her, appealing to what she probably only knew.

Still, she didn't budge, she only aimed the knife better when he got closer. "You have no idea how many men have attempted to coax me with sweet nothings, Lord Baelish. I have been through enough to know I would need a sign from the gods before trusting another foreigner again."

Petyr nodded, "very well, my lady, as you wish."

He snapped two fingers and the carriage doors were unlocked but not open, Victoria held the knife at Baelish whilst looking it's way. There was a half breath escaped before the doors sprung open and out stepped Greywind, his fur bloodied and limping. His teeth bared, staring at the men surrounding him until he looked at Victoria.

Her knife suddenly dropped in the same time the direwolf sprang her way. She opened both arms and and dropped to her knees as he sprung into her body and nuzzled his nose into her neck.

"Greywind!" She nearly sobbed, his fur was matted with blood, thick tuffs conjoined together and there was scratches on his face, his foot was bloodied and bandaged but he was alive, the last part of the Starks she could physically hold was here. Elaine seemed to agree as well as she to dropped and pet the beasts hair.

Baelish came close, "my men managed to kill those trying to harm him, they coaxed him away with your discarded nightgown found outside. I think he knew we were bringing you two together, either that or he was waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

Victoria looked up, calmly running her fingers through his fur as Baelish grew close, he extended a hand to her. "We will safely guide you to your crew waiting for you at the trident. From there we will make sure nothing harms any of you again. My lady, do you trust me?"

Victoria swallowed harshly, taking his hand and lifting herself. "Why are you doing this Lord Baelish?"

"Your Uncle has something valuable to me, something I could only trade with my life. You are my lifeline. Lady Valiente." Lord Baelish explained.

Victoria stared at him inquisitively, pondering just what could be so valuable he's risk his entire life for it. She knew better then to ask this man, so she nodded her head, feeling Greywind press against her leg and Elaine stand near her they walked to the carriage.

She didn't trust Lord Baelish, perhaps she would never trust a man again, but her gut seemed to argue that this was the best course of action, and she could at least have faith in that.

|•|•|•|•|

Lord Baelish was a man of his word, at least when it benefitted him.

Greywind, Elaine, and Victoria all crowded one carriage, none of them slept as they kept their eyes on the trails that led them out. 2 nights passed, and they arrived to the Trident.

Victoria felt her last will to stay awake slowly slipping as the carriage stopped, her eyes sprang open however and the blade that hadn't left her hand lifted to the doors.

The mumbling of men was heard and the door to their carriage burst open, both her and Elaine were defensive.

The red and gold of Lannister armor met them, and for the smallest of seconds Victoria felt hope leave her. This was it, the Lannisters would find out about her babies and soon they'd kill her. She felt any joy drain until she saw the face of her soldier.

Ser Monterroso smiled at her, tan skin glistening under the sun of the Trident. She sighed heavily as he looked from her to Elaine, his eyes growing soft at the blonde and he spoke, "this is quite a sight."

Elaine jumped forward, Victoria feeling her body grow sluggish and soon she felt comforted. The two lovers embraced one another, Elaine had never felt so happy to see a man in her life. She hugged her love with such a ferocity, enlacing her arms around his neck and nearly crying.

He kissed the top of her forehead, noting the speck of blood on her neck, he pulled back, seeing her cut lip and the purple splotches underneath her eyes. They both looked so different from the women he'd left not far from here.

"I'm so happy to see you," he softly spoke.

Her blue eyes were electrified to him, and she gripped his collar tightly, "you have no idea how true those words are to me."

She nuzzled back into his chest and Greywind grumbled as he adjusted to Victoria form who was closing her eyes.

"Lady Valiente is very tired," Lord Baelish said from behind. "I trust that now with her home within reach she will be able to rest."

Lord Monterroso attempted to keep his face as neutral to Littlefinger as possible, he'd heard many rumors over the man all of which seemed to be confirmed when Oberyn Martell had warned him not to trust the man. He turned, still holding Elaine within his arms and softly nodded. "Aye, on behalf of her family I thank you for your help."

"Not necessary," Baelish responded, "I trust that my discussion with Prince Oberyn was enough, and that he will follow through."

Monterroso held back his distaste, "aye. Speak to my Lieutenant, I will be ensuring the ladies get some rest in their tent."

Baelish nodded and looked to Victoria who has silently watched, "Lady Valiente, this is where we part ways. I trust that now we can consider one another friends."

Victoria meticulously watched him, wondering just what it was he needed. She nodded at him silently, "thank you Lord Baelish, I wish you safe travels."

He nodded and walked off.

Victoria watched as he left and the air lightened, Monterroso looked her way and extended his hand, "come, my lady, let's get you home."

|•|•|•|•|

It took nearly a week of traveling but soon enough she could see sand dunes and feel the actual Dornish sun. It was a lot cooler then the last time has been at home but nonetheless she felt comforted, the ship soon docked near Valiente ports and the first person to greet her was Amina Sand.

Amina came bouncing down the dock, running at full speed as the boat docked and out stepped Victoria.

She hesitantly made her way down, unsure that this in reality was true. So long her life had been nothing but danger and the unknown, she'd lost so many and the girl that had once docked her home was now gone and a women had grown from the mess. Behind her she felt Greywind huffing, confused as to their location.

Her body ached, she felt all the trauma from the last years overwhelming her and when Amina approached her she nearly fell into her arms.

"Oh my sweet cousin," Amina cooed, she had never seen her quite like this, her heart broke for her loved. "I promise we will avenge your losses, I promise I will see to it."

Victoria tightened her arms.

A shadow descended them both and when both women looked they saw Oberyn Martell standing, he looked thoughtful.

His hand pushed the hairs away from his nieces face, taking note of every cut, bruise, and blemish the Prince of Dorne nodded.

"Yes, my sweet girls. It is our time to turn the tides on the Lannisters."

Victoria and Amina stared at him in wonder for a moment and then looked at one another.

Amina nodded her head silently giving Victoria, for the first time in what felt like a century a grin, she felt in her bones that the Lannisters reign was about to crumble.

She stepped back, unbuttoning her fathers jacket and for her a symbolic shield, slowly as the jacket was pulled back she unveiled the growing bump she'd fought so hard to keep silent. "My children will need an army to battle them out."

|•|•|•|•|

And this part comes to a close!!

I'm sooo excited for y'all to see what's coming, any predictions?

-Ash 🤍🤍