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Cath
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Eleanor felt her heart squeezing in her chest as she watched Pod leave with Brienne of Tarth. Lord Tyrion insist, he had told her that same morning…but Eleanor wasn't happy about it. A few moments ago, Eleanor said goodbye to probably her best friend in the entire realm. Jaime Lannister was there and so was Bronn.
"You didn't think I was going to let you go empty handed?" she said, handling him a small package. It wasn't anything special, just a few remedies one could use on the road.
Pod didn't answer.
"Something for the road…in case. It's all things you know what to do with."
"Thank you"
"You take care of yourself out there Podrick."
"And you too."
Eleanor nodded and kissed him the cheek.
Eleanor stayed until they weren't in sight any longer. Then, she turned and walked back towards the Red Keep. She didn't look at Jaime and certainly not at Bronn.
As she walked, she came upon Prince Oberyn. They hadn't spoke since last time after Tyrion's trial.
"Well, isn't it Eleanor of House Clegane." He said with a grin.
Eleanor wasn't sure if it was meant to be funny or not.
"Prince Oberyn."
"I hope you are well." He said.
For an instant, Eleanor thought he had winked at her.
"I am." She answered back. "And yourself?"
"I am well. I am returning from an important meeting."
Eleanor had heard he was now part of the small council. Then, there was silence. None of them knew what else to say…yet, Eleanor could feel the Prince's eyes on her. Whatever he was trying to do, she wasn't of it.
Then, a loud voice was heard.
"Yes?" asked Oberyn, clearly annoyed.
The man answered nothing but instead looked at Eleanor.
The man was tall. Not as tall as her brother yet the Clegane sigil was all too visible.
"Your brother wants to speak to you."
Eleanor felt like her heart was about to stop. The man could not have the worst timing than this one. She nodded and turned to follow the Clegane man. As she walked away she heard the Dornishman's voice:
"Go one now Eleanor, your brother wants to speak to you." Said Oberyn
That last comment hurt; it hurt real bad.
Eleanor followed the man until they reached quarters near the training yard. The man showed her into a room. Gregor was there, polishing his great sword. He didn't see nor hear her come in.
"Hello Gregor."
He said nothing at first, then he stopped his action to nod at her.
"How you've been?"
"All right"
The man finally spoke, she thought
"I see the rumours of your death in battle were just rumours. Not that you send me any news recently." Eleanor sat down opposite her brother, seeing he wasn't going to offer her to sit anyway.
"Wouldn't you like that? Unh?" he said "Me dead."
"You know I don't think like that. We may not get along very well but you are my brother and I don't wish you ill." Said Eleanor. "I wrote to you, you know? The least you could have done was to show a shred of common sense and respond."
Gregor let out a sound that sounded like a laugh. Silence filled the room. Eleanor decided to sit down.
"So. You wanted to see me?"
"Aie." He said "I'm here on business for the Lannisters."
You always are, she thought
"And when it's over you will go back to the Keep."
"There is nothing for me at the Keep, you know that."
"Now there will be."
"But I'm useful here. I like it."
"You'll be there."
"Then what is it? Be a little bit more clear about this."
"Your future husband."
That statement hit Eleanor like a tone of bricks. So it's true, she thought
"I'm not getting married to please you or to relieve you." She said harshly
"You have no choice. We are family, as you said, and in the eyes of the law, of Gods and Men, I'm the head of our house. You'll do your told and it's final."
"Why?"
"Because I said so and that's it."
Eleanor stood up from her chair, placed both hands on the table.
"You really care so little for me then?" said Eleanor "Have I not been out of your hair for the past years? Have I not left you peace?" She was furious.
"Don't defy me." He said, grabbing her by the arm, preventing her from moving her arm. Eleanor prayed it wouldn't bruise.
Eleanor felt Gregor's grip grow tighter sending her thoughts back to years ago, when they were still living at Clegane's Keep…When her father was still alive.
Gregor came storming into the great hall.
"How dare you!" he screamed at her
"How dare you!" she answered back "I wasn't going to let her suffer alone in the dark."
Clearly Gregor was angry with her because she had helped Isabella, his second wife. Once again, Gregor couldn't control his anger and had taken it out on the poor girl.
"You stupid girl!" he said to her. "You had no right."
"I won't let you terrorise people around here."
That was too much. Gregor didn't answer back, instead he it Eleanor with the back of his hand.
She fell near the table. Anger was visible on Gregor's face and then, Eleanor realised the extent of what she had done.
Gregor approached her once more and raised his hand.
Eleanor winced, closed her eyes and moved her head to the side. When she dared opened her eyes, she saw a figure behind her brother.
"If you ever lift your hand on your sister again, there will be consequences Gregor. You don't scare me." Said Nestor Clegane: their father,
And Gregor lowered his hand. He stormed out of the room. What happened next, Eleanor didn't remember exactly. But she remembered her father helping her up.
"It's my fault." She said "I provoked him."
"Shhh" said Nestor "None of that."
Eleanor tried her best to smile.
"You look so much like your mother you know." He said.
"I miss her." Said Eleanor
"Aie."
A scream filled their household. No doubt Gregor found a new victim for his rage; his wife.
"Why does he even get married?"
"There isn't anything we can do about it you know."
"It's beyond me."
Eleanor stood up and let out a sign.
"I'm going for a walk to clear my head."
As she walked to the door, she heard her father's voice fill the room.
"Eleanor."
"Yes father."
"Don't let your brute brothers ruin you. It's not worth it. I'll handle them."
But there was no one to help her this time. There was no use in fighting Gregor Clegane.
"Don't challenge me any further. I'll send for you when we leave. And it's final."
Eleanor swallowed hard and nodded at her brother. After that, he let go of her arm.
She turned around and left, fighting away the tears in her eyes.
Sandor's words reeling in her head:"Wait for Gregor's return" he had said
By the gods, she wished she had fought harder to leave with him, or to leave with Pod and Lady Brienne. Now, there was no escaping.
Eleanor went back to the lab, in hopes of finding some task to do to keep her mind of recent events. She felt terribly alone. With all the luck in the world, there were some mustard seeds to be crushed. Eleanor didn't particularly like this task but it would keep her busy.
After some time, she saw the Grand Maester enter the laboratory. He probably came back from a small council meeting.
"Did you hear the news?" asked Pycelle
"No, Grand Maester."
Eleanor respected the Grand Maester. She wasn't particular found of him, the old man was sometimes disgusting but she didn't really care. What the Grand Maester did in his own private time was his own business.
"Tyrion Lannister found a champion."
Eleanor smiled. This was truly was good news.
"And who will it be?" she asked. She actually wondered if it would be Jaime Lannister.
"Prince Oberyn."
Eleanor suddenly felt a shiver down her spine at the sound of it.
"And for the crown?" she asked, swallowing hard.
"Your brother didn't tell you?" asked Pycelle
No he didn't, she thought
She shook her head in negation.
"Ser Gregor is to fight for the Crown."
Once back in her room, Eleanor was battling with herself. There was no way Oberyn could win this right? Or maybe he could? Did she care? What would happen if her brother died? What would it be like without him? By the gods, she did not know what to think. Of course, Gregor had mentioned nothing. She wondered if he knew. Prince Oberyn definitely knew. It all made sense to her now. Gregor's return and why Oberyn chose to be Tyrion's champion. That will be his revenge.
"But he will die trying." Said Eleanor out loud.
Prince Oberyn didn't deserve to die. She kept pacing in her rooms, trying to think about what to do…if there was something to be done.
Yes there was. She had to try and stop him. Eleanor mustered all the courage she could find within herself and exited her room. It was dark…It was late but she didn't care. She walked swiftly within the halls of the Keep, hoping not to come cross anyone important…like her brother, Jaime or Bronn.
Once at his door, she realised how late it was. Chance were he would close the door at her face the moment her saw her. What was she doing here anyway? The man could not have hurt her more than this afternoon with the way he spoke to her. But she had to do it anyway. So she knocked, no matter the outcome.
The door opened, revealing a shirtless Dornish prince. She glanced at him for a few seconds, but, remembering her purpose, she looked up, straight at him and said with all her soul:
"Please don't fight him."
All right I hope you guys enjoyed this one. And many of you should enjoy what i'm planning next. As always, reviews and comments are always welcome.
