Origin - the Hounds of House Clegane
Disclaimer: A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones, all characters, places, and related terms are the sole property of the author George R R Martin.
The Reynes of Castamere were older than the Tarbecks and nearly as rich as the Lannisters. They were the finest family in the Westerlands, most said, especially the Reynes themselves. They were lavish in their displays of wealth but named their children after virtues and lofty qualities, as if to prove they were above the mortal coil. The Faith might have called that sacrilegious, except that the Reynes were exceedingly generous in their donations.
Courage Reyne, the Red Lion, was head of the family. Poetry was his oldest son and heir. Courage wanted Genna Lannister's hand in marriage to Poe, as his firstborn was affectionately called. To see the girl given over to a Frey instead was unbearable. Poe tried to calm his father, said it did not matter. He thought Genna was a lovely girl, but Poe had an eye for her cousin, Joanna. Joanna Lannister was well-read, and had inner beauty that surpassed her pretty face. Soon after the initial disappointment, Courage learned that Joanna was promised to her cousin, Tywin Lannister.
"Either they keep the girls within the family, or marry them far below their station just to keep other good Houses down." Courage grumbled. He was not about to be kept down. He had ambitious plans for all of his children.
Piety was his oldest daughter. A great beauty at fifteen, she was tall and slender, with honey-colored hair and golden brown eyes. Son Steadfast was thirteen and squired for his brother Poetry. Twin nine-year-old girls, Melody and Harmony, completed the immediate family.
Courage had set aside a great dowry for Piety, and made no secret about it. Tytos Lannister made inquiries for her hand on behalf of his poor relations, rather than one of his own sons. Courage was insulted yet again.
His three daughters would stay within the Reyne and Tarbeck families, Courage told Tytos. And since no appropriate Lannister girls had been made available, Poetry and Steadfast would look elsewhere, too.
The Tarbecks, cousins to Courage's wife, shared his sentiments. They pushed Tytos' limits and found them yielding. Why not push further and be rid of Lannister rule? The three families were equals at the least, so if two of them joined, the Lannisters would have to adjust to a new order in the Westerlands. Tarbecks had men of good fighting stock. The Reynes had fewer knights, but of the best quality and plenty of gold to supply a long fight. They did not think the fight would be long, though.
The tide turned when Tywin Lannister took over command of the Lannister army. They knew Tywin was stronger than his father Tytos, but he had been so young, they did not think he could outfox them. Tywin put all of his efforts south, against the Tarbecks. The Reynes rushed troops to help, but the Iron Islanders took advantage of the situation. The Greyjoys made a move on Castamere's coastal mines, just as Tywin thought they would. The Ironborn were repelled, but at a cost, and the Reynes were spread too thin over too much land.
The Tarbecks fell hard. Lady Ellyn Tarbeck's body was left buried in the ruins of her castle. Reyne banner men fell like dominoes as Tywin turned his undivided attention north.
Tywin arranged a parlay and offered terms to Courage, terrible terms. Heavy taxation, marriage contracts on all the girls - not just Courage's own daughters, but his nieces would be sold hither and yon to Freys, Greyjoys, or worse. Poetry must join the Kings Guard while Steadfast and two beloved nephews would take the Black. Courage would have no grandchildren bearing the name Reyne.
"But you will have grandchildren, if you take my terms." Tywin Lannister warned.
Courage tried to deal with Tywin, "Tis your father's woman that brought us to this."
There was plenty of blame to go around, but that was the name Tywin most despised.
"Look what she arranged for Genna, your own sister. Do you expect me to let her sell my daughters as well? What about your own daughter? What does your father's mistress have in mind for Cersei? If I knew the girls would be treated honorably..."
Tywin almost reconsidered his terms. Almost. Courage counterattacked while Tywin thought. Tywin steeled himself, angry that he had been weak. There would not be a single Reyne left alive when he was done.
(*********)
Courage had been in the vanguard when the forces of Tywin Lannister struck Castamere Keep. He died valiantly, true to his name, followed quickly by Poetry. His younger brother, Logic, dragged poor Steadfast away to the inner Keep, to join his mother and sisters. Logic and a few faithful knights held the doors while all of the relatives, household retainers, and the wives and children of the knights raced up to the tower, where they could look at the carnage below. The Reynes were finished. What level of mercy would they be shown?
Piety could not look away. The bodies of the men were defiled in ways her innocent young mind never thought possible. The middle Keep fell and they could hear the screams of women and children from the countryside that had come to her father for protection. Courage had failed them all.
The men and her mother talked quickly. Mother took off all of her fine jewelry, tore her hair and clothes in mourning, and waited on her knees to beg for the lives of those who remained. The others fell to their knees behind her, even Steadfast. Piety could not tear herself away from the windows.
When the Lannister men stormed through the last door, there was no chance to even beg. Her mother was run through with a sword before she could utter a word. Piety saw the men's eyes - they were mad with bloodlust. She prayed to the Stranger, "Make me a bird." and ran to an open window. Either I shall fly away, or I will take the mercy of a quick death.
She jumped.
In her panic, she chose the wrong window. She landed not twelve feet below, on a thick canvas awning. Dazed and winded, she wondered if she now had wings. She did not. She began to crawl to the edge of the awning. It was still a far enough drop to kill her. But then someone else dropped from the window above.