Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters featured in this story
"Sword!" Ser Gregor bellowed, his shout going almost unheard above the raucous cheering of the crowd. Ser Loras Tyrell certainly did not hear it. He was too busy drinking in the cheers to notice the Mountain's squire running down the lists, massive greatsword in tow. Indeed, no one paid much attention to Ser Gregor until he took that greatsword and hacked his stallion near in two. It was only when the animal's death cries had ceased, its blood gushing into the dirt, that the crowd quieted. Ser Loras raised his shield at the last moment, the shock of the blow hurtling him from his horse.
Ser Gregor pressed in on Ser Loras, hacking down again and again. It was only when his shield was half to splinters that a voice cried out. "Leave him be!" When the Mountain turned he was met with a sight he did not expect. Standing there was a Gold Cloak, a man of King's Landing's City Watch, spear held at the ready, gritty determination sparkling in his eyes.
As the Mountain marched towards him the Gold Cloak thought about what a fitting name it was. In his armor Ser Gregor seemed to stand eight feet tall. The Gold Cloak thrust his spear out, trying to keep the giant at a distance. It wasn't working. He just kept coming. So the Gold Cloak did his best to parry the blows, dancing this way and that, the Mountain's every stroke glancing off his spear or slicing through the air. The Gold Cloak feinted right, Ser Gregor took the bait, the Gold Cloak saw his opening and swung his spear back around.
When the Mountain brought his hand up to his throat the look on his face was almost surprised, as if he hadn't expected to feel his own blood pouring from the wound. He tried to shout but all that managed to escape was a sickening sucking noise. For a while there wasn't a sound, at least until the Mountain's lifeless corpse fell to the ground. Then the tourney ground exploded with cheers and applause. "I owe you my life, ser." Ser Loras said as he took the Gold Cloak by the hand. "I am no ser." Then Ser Jaime Lannister was next to him as well, flashing his dazzling smile. "Well that is something we'll have to fix don't you think?" As Ser Jaime clapped the Gold Cloak on the back as Ser Loras raised their hands high. The small folk ate it up, cheering like madmen.
As the Gold Cloak gazed around he locked eyes with a woman in the crowd and strode to meet her. As he climbed the stairs to the royal dais he removed his gauntlets and his ring mail. He had no desire for cold metal to separate him and his lady love. As reached the top of the platform Queen Cersei Lannister could no longer contain herself and rushed into his arms. "You were so brave my love." She said after a passionate kiss.
"My love? Is that what you said?" King Robert Baratheon asked, staggering to his feet red faced from drink. "Did I hear you right woman?" Cersei clutched at the Gold Cloak's black woolen surcoat in fear, but he whispered a reassuring word in her ear and pushed her behind him. "Tell me boy, why is it my wife calls you, a man unknown to me, her love?" The King bellowed. "She calls me that because that is what I am your Grace, and I am tired of hiding it." The Gold Cloak stepped toward the King, the stench of wine overpowering him. "It's true. I have loved him from a far, falling more and more in love each time he guarded the throne room." The queen said clutching her hands to her chest.
"Fetch me my hammer!" The King shouted. "I'll kill both of you, you hear me? Both of you!" The Gold Cloak remained calm. Gently he placed his hand on the King's shoulder. "I just felled the Mountain. To me he seemed nothing but a babe. Do you really think you would prove any more of a challenge?" He whispered ever so softly in the King's ear. For a moment he thought the King would strike him or take that dagger on his belt and try and plunge it into his eye. Instead he turned around and marched off, shouting and cursing the whole time.
Cersei through her arms around the Gold Cloak's neck and kissed him again. This time the crowd cheered even louder. "Come away with me my love." He said looking deep into her eyes. "Where? Where could we possibly run?" She said, a look of concern on her face. "Braavos. Pentos. Myr. It doesn't matter so long as you and I are together." She pulled away, stared at the ground. He could see on her face that she was weighing the options. "Yes! Yes a thousand times!" She said finally, burying her beautiful face into his chest. The crowd cheered anew and the Gold Cloak looked around and drank it in the same way Ser Loras had done just a few minutes past.
Then he heard a peculiar noise. "Cruck-cruck-cruck!" The Gold Cloak looked around trying to place the sound. He didn't understand what was happening. He could still see the crowd cheering. He saw Ser Loras wiping away a tear and Ser Jaime clapping vigorously. "Cruck-cruck-cruck!" He felt a cool breeze. At least that's what it seemed at first. But it built in to a freezing wind that only he seemed to feel. "Cruck-cruck-cruck!"
The Gold Cloak turned around and perched there, on the chair that had sat the king, was a raven. He had seen ravens but there was something curious about this one. "Cruck-cruck-cruck!" It shrieked, staring right at him. It was only then that the Gold Cloak realized what was curious about it. "Is something wrong my love?" Cersei whispered into his ear. Her voice sent a shiver up his spine. There was something cold and awful about it. "Nothing darling it's just…that raven there has three eyes."
"Oh love, don't be silly. Ravens don't have three eyes. You must be dreaming." That frigid voice whispered.
"Right. Dreaming…oh. Shit"
"Cruck-cruck-cruck!" That was the last thing he heard before he woke up.
