"Stop fidgeting." Averills hand maiden scolded to her, the small blond glared up at her silently and continued to tap her fingers on her lap. Sara, the hand maiden, let out a small sigh while still trying to brush the mounds of knots out of Averills hair. It took hours but the grit and grim of the wilds was finally washed from her. She had turned her first bath nearly black, even the second bath was dingy and brownish; she had taken nearly three more baths afterwards to ensure she was indeed clean, her skin nourished and heavily perfumed. After all tonight she would meet her betrothed face to face for the first time. Not only was he a complete stranger with a awful reputation in regards to how he treated his wives he was also the elder brother of the man who truly had her heart. She had to pretend to love the man who inflicted that cruel scar on her loves face. Coming next week it would be her duty to lay with him and to bear him male heirs and to be obedient. Averill did not want this, but she was no fool and knew nothing good would come from irritating him. She was the fool who put her self in this situation so now she just had to deal with it. They pulled her from the tub and began to dry her, they were rubbing so hard her skin was turning red and raw. After she was dry they began to dress her in a beautiful red silk gown embellished with golden lions around the train as well as the bodice. The dress was something very similar to what the Queen would wear, but without the sleeves. They brushed her hair for what seemed was ages making sure they got all the ticks and bugs out of her hair. After she was assuredly bug free they style her hair in a very elegant bun which southern women seemed found enough of. By the time she was dressed it was already sunset and she began to hear people outside the castle making a fuss. The blond left the care of her handmaids and gazed out her window towards the group of men who approached the castle and the Mountain of a man who led them, her husband to be Gregor.
Averill could not remember ever feeling this horrified in her life, when they said big she thought Sandors stature was impressive and she had always heard that Gregor was larger than his younger brother but she almost never believed it until now. She was far from him, since she was still in the tower but even from that distance she could see that he towered over every man. He was probably at least double the height of everyman at the castle.
"Come on, stop dawdling, we have strict orders to bring you down to meet him as soon as your ready." She looked over to the dark haired handmaiden her eyes filled with terror neither of the handmaidens seemed to care as the quickly pulled her down the stairs and to the main hall. Once the reached the main stair and she saw her family standing there the handmaidens bowed and left.
Joffery was of course delighted by the upcoming wedding, not only would his embarrassment of an aunt get married and move a way, her future husband has a reputation for violence an would likely dispose of her for good. Cersei was happy for exactly the same reason, she had never been found of Averill as far as she was concerned Averill was nothing but a disgrace to the Lannister name and she couldn't want to be rid of her. Tywin was only satisfied with the fact this this would only strengthen the bond between the Lannisters and the Cleganes, he could care less if she was unhappy with this match up as far as he was concerned she owed his this for all he had done for her over the years. Then there was Tyrion and Jaime though Tyrion was much more upset than Jaime, Jaime certainly didn't want his younger sister killed. Tyrion was upset, but he was also trying to come up with some way to try and save his sister again.
Averill did her best to smile, all she could do know was try not to look mortified as the front doors opened and her betrothed walked in. The blonds heart sank into her stomach as her eyes met with his she felt a jolt come through her. There was nothing good to come of him she knew it, she could tell his eyes were soulless and cold.
Gregor Clegane was a sight to behold, she knew that seeing him from her bedchamber, but now she was able to take everything in. He towered over her leaving her head a few inches below his shoulder. Averill shifted uncomfortably as his gaze fell on her, Cersei glanced towards her bastard sister and smirked, Averill glared for a moment before returning her gaze to Gregor. His face was handsome enough it was long with a broad jaw with a thick head of hair which connected to his equally short yet full beard, but as handsome and strong he looked he also looked cruel and heartless. Averill stood in horror as he approached them. When he reached her he shifted his gaze towards Joffrey and her father. She finally let her gaze leave him, she looked down towards Tyrion who seemed to but as horrified as her.
Gregor bowed to Joffrey who was of course pleased as well.
"Lord Tywin was my bride harmed?" Averill was a little shocked that she was the first thing he asked about Tywin didn't seem shocked though and answered.
"Not physically, though I can only imagine the emotional trauma that was cause by the rabid dog abducting her." Gregor stood up straight and walked towards Averill, he grabbed one of her hands, she was shocked to see that one of his hands was at least twice the size of her hands, what he did next was certainly un expected.
"My lady, I swear that I will not let my brothers crimes go unpunished. When I find him, I'll leave him with a worse scare than last time. My only relief is that your dignity has remained intact." The last part caused a tinge of crimson to come across her cheeks. Her family and betrothed looked to her for a response. Averill smiled softly before placing her other small hand on top of his.
"My Lord your devotion is touching, I am certainly looking forward to our long lives together." Averill knew it wasn't a particularly heartfelt or touching response but Gregor and the rest seemed satisfied with it and Gregor was invited to change into more comfortable cloths and get refreshed then come down and meet them all for dinner. As they all walked to the hall she felt a hand grasp her shoulder roughly she turned and saw her fathers green eyes as he pulled her aside from everyone else.
"Now listen, you sister has done her duty as wife even though she was married to that womanizing slob now it's your turn. I don't care what it takes for you to make him happy, you're an illegitimate child and this is the best marriage you will ever receive. I'm warning you not to ruin this with your inability to hold you tongue." Tywin let go of his daughters shoulder and walked away.
Averill stood in the hallway for a moment, her legs began to wobble she pressed her back against the wall to stop herself from falling. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath.
I can't do this, how can they expect me to do this? I wish I was back with Sandor, I wonder how far he's gone I wonder what he's thinking right now.
"My Lady" A voice drew her from her thoughts, she opened her eyes and saw Petyr Baelish. The petite blonde drew back from him; after all he was one of the people responsible for this predicament.
"Go away."
"Well that isn't very ladylike." He chimed at her, Averill turned to walk away from him. "Alright, alright I understand why you would be mad." Averill stopped and turned to face him, he smirked back at her, which of course infuriated her even more.
"Oh, is that right? You understand why I would be mad? Well of course I would be upset with you, you're a sneaky little snake. I should've had you stomped out ages ago." Baelish chuckled "What are you laughing at?" She snapped at him.
"Oh nothing it's just funny how you think that there was ever a time you had the upper hand on me." Averill could only bite her lip as much as she hated him she really never did have the upper hand on him. She had enough of Littlefinger and his games so she decided that whatever it was he wanted to tell her, she would not stick around to hear it. Averill walked into the great hall and took her seat next to Tyrion.
"You can't seriously mean to marry her to him?" Tyrion stated flatly, Tywin was not happy with Tyrion voicing out against his younger sisters upcoming wedding.
"I do, and as I told her before she will handle her marriage to him with every dignity that a Lannister would. So all of you just shut up and act happy for her, and you," Tywin said while glowering at Averill "You better remember what I told you if you don't want me to put you out on the streets like I should've years ago."
"I wont disappoint you father." Averill said, truly hoping she wouldn't, this was not what she wanted, but she was determined to make the best of her situation.
It wasn't long until Gregor and a few of his men entered into the hall, he sat next to Tywin and looked over to Averill.
"Come," he said while motioning for her to take the seat next to him. The petite blonde stood and took a seat next to him. "You should've let me know she grew up to be so beautiful." Gregor said to Tywin as he surveyed Averills face. "Dare I saw she's even more beautiful than Cersei." He chuckled Cersei was the only one who did not seem to share his opinion. After all, Averill was younger and her features had always been softer that her elder sister and her demeanor was much more approachable. "No wonder Sandor wanted you." The last statement stung her a little.
Sandor…
The mention of her would be lover hurt, the thought of him wondering a lone in the woods wondering where she was off too was painful. That was when it hit her, Sandor would never just give up and leave. He would know what happened and she had a feeling that he would come back for her. Of course she was happy due to the possibility of seeing him again, however that would also bring him back to Kings Landing where he was now a wanted man. Dread began to fill her even more, if the Mountain found out then he would certainly have him killed.
"Oh you flatter me, you are too kind." Averill said, Gregor smiled before he began to speak to the others at the table.
Dinner passed by without being to eventful, well other than the fact that Gregor nearly at a whole roast hog himself. Averill got up from the table to excuse herself for bed.
"Do not forget we have a wedding to plan tomorrow sister." Cersei said while raising a glass of wine. "I'll make sure Lily comes to fetch you nice and early."
"Good night my Lord." Averill said giving Gregor a small curtsy, with that she took her leave. Nothing good would come from her lingering; she left the room and ran up to her room as quickly as she possibly could.
Maybe things wont be so bad, so far he seems ok. I mean maybe if I just stay on his god side everything will be ok.
Though Averill wanted to think positive, but she knew that things with Gregor would only get worse. All she could do was hope Sandor was safe and take it day by day.
