************ Have taken inspiration from the Sci FI Series Fringe for certain aspects in this Chapter and the Story*****************
Chapter 14: The Day of the Mountain
Ned Stark would have turned down the absurd suggestion from Dorne had Robert Baratheon not wholeheartedly approved. Ned was feeling more and more uncomfortable with the whole situation. For one - the Mountain had been captured by Highgarden without any provocation or declaration of war. True the Mountain was a loathsome creature but you dont kill loathsome creatures without just cause. Not in the North. Nobody lost their rights in the North unless they were tried or were bound for trial. Instead the Hound had been captured from the Westerlands without any cause and had been trussed up and delivered like an animal to Dorne. To Ned Stark it was not done. It was not the act of a King. And now - Dornes suggestion for a Mereenese Fight to Death was even more ridiculous. Ned Stark was aware of the Mereenese rules. There was no surrender, no going back - nothing. You killed or you were killed. Even the Guest of Honor had only one strike - one person whose life could be saved. It meant that unless the mountain was killed by his first challenger - people would die.
Yet Roberts approval meant Ned had to approve. He could formally argue against such a fight but that would be against the Royal will and Ned was keen on ensuring Robert was in a good mood at least until the following day evening when Jon departed for the Wall.
So now the fight was to be held in the West Ice Pits - a huge structure that once housed the Mammoths of Winterfell around Eleven Hundred Years or so ago. The Kings enthusiasm was infectious and soon every major lord who had been invited to the Grand council had sent their men to ensure that the wooden stadium was built against Stone. The Old marketplace was full of persons from neighboring villages all of them to see the Mountain fall and to observe a mereenese fight. Neds only condition to the King was that the King himself not participate and the King after a major tantrum had agreed that neither he nor would any heir or head of any major household in the realm participate. This would exempt Ned and Robb - which was fine with Ned. Many others like Dickon Tarly, Loras Tyrell would also be exempted.
The Challenger who defeated the Mountain would receive a hundred thousand gold dragons, a knighthood from Dorne and their choice of wife from the Dornish islands if they were as yet unmarried. It was a tempting reward. Theon was not yet Balon Greyjoys heir and so looked forward to the fight as did his 'prisoner' Sandor the Hound Clegane. Ser Jory Cassel, Ser Larks Umber, Ser Mandynce Greysworth - Northern knights also hoped to kill the beast and win the glory accorded to them. Edmure Tully could not be a challenger as he was heir to his fathers realm while the Blackfish was deemed too old as was Lord Yohn Royce. Benjen Stark belonged to the Watch now and so could not be a challenger.
It was very well arranged given that Lord Stark had less than a days notice. He had done his best and it now looked good. The Mountain had been given his choice of fighting to death or going to dorne in Chains and the Mountain had decided to go fighting.
The following day would be the Grand Council after which all the Lords assembled would leave for their realms after swearing an oath to their king and to his successor Stannis Baratheon. The Fight was an excellent way to keep up the spirits. Every single realm in Westeros hated the Mountain and wanted him dead. Oberyn Martell hoped that the Hound would remain alive until close to sunset so that he could finish the job. He did not have a good deal of confidence in the challengers he saw before him- except perhaps the man Sandor.
Women were also assembled - Catelyn, Sansa, The Red Woman, Lady Rowena Mormont and a few other Wives of Knights. They would also enjoy a fight to the death where a man was given the option of fighting for honor or dying with honor.
The King, Lord Ned, The Councillors and the Guests were all seated in the temporary wooden planked seats - any discomfort neutralized by the pleasure of a fight in the eastern ways. The Challengers were chosen by the call of a number picked up by a child of ten. Ser Gregor wore his armor, carried his huge steel sword and his short dagger, he also carried his shied and helmet. He stood seven feet and three inches in height and his strength despite his days in a dungeon appeared undiminished.
The First challenger was Ser Madys Locksworth of House Karstark who lasted exactly four minutes against the Mountain before being impaled on the Mountains. Ser Jonas Bogwood of House Umber was the next and he lasted even lesser for two minutes before the Mountain picked him up and broke his sword arm, and lifted him up and threw him against the ground shattering his spine. The First five challengers were all killed by the Mountain in a total of over Forty Five Minutes while the Mountain barely broke a sweat. Ths Sixth Challenger was Ser Jory Cassel. Jory was the first challenger who seemed to trouble the Mountain - Jory managed to block the Mountains heavy swings and even wound the Mountain in his Left shoulder, but after twenty four minutes of Combat - Jory felt fatigue. He was not strong. He was skilled but stamina in a fight like this needed to be tremendous. He began tiring and making mistakes and Gregor pulled out his Short dagger and jammed it into Jorys Throat. Five times the Mountain stabbed Jorys throat even after the Knight was dead. Ser Rodrik Cassel gave a roar of anger and rose to enter the ring and was cheered on by the crowd of Northerners. Only Lord Neds express command saw the Old Knight return back to his seat, containing his tears at his sons death - watching his sons body flung aside.
By this time many Lords were rearing to go. Lord Randyll Tarly was suggesting to his liege lord - Mace Tyrell to beg the king to remove the absurd rule that did not allow Lords of Houses and their Heirs to fight while Ser Loras was rearing at the leash. Even Robb and Jon were eager to show their prowesses although neither would probably last for more than five minutes against the mountain.
Oberyn Martell looked at the sun. There was probably an hour to go before Sunset. Six challengers had been killed. Who would be the seventh? There were twelve more numbers left and the child drew Sandor Cleganes number. The Hound walked into the Pit to face his brother who faced him with a evil grin. The Mountain rushed at the Hound and the Hound sidestepped swinging his sword directly into the Mountains neck and would have chopped of his brothers neck and ended the fight had the Mountain not swerved at the last moment allowing the sword to slice into the portion above his right shoulder. The Mountain gave a bellow of rage and fury and swung back to face his brother and the fight was on. It was mesmerizing to watch the Cleganes fighting with rage, hatred and fury. Both brothers were fighting with passion and their swords clashed again and again. At times the Mountain seemed to be gaining but after six fights he was tiring and this meant his undue advantage of strength and power was diminishing. The Mountain kept taking the Hound farther and farther away but just before the killing stroke, the Hound would move back into the circle and begin fighting again. Forty One Minutes the fight had lasted the fighters went on and on. Sandor had inflicted four more injuries on the Mountain and had received three injuries in return - one a serious swordstroke above his left knee. He knew he could not stand and fight much longer without feeling the pain. He had to inflict the killer blow.
The Mountain could have avoided Cleganes major assaults. He only had to survive a few minutes more. It was already nearing Sunset and under meerenese rules the fight would be over and the Mountain would have lived and even been allowed to go back home. However the Mountain did not even think of such technicalities - he wanted Sandor dead and he rushed straight at Sandors chest, Sandor drew his sword and blocked but the force of the thrust was so strong that Sandor lost his Sword and was for a moment weaponless. It was Gregors biggest moment - the Mountain swerved towards his brother and ran with Sword Held High with Sandor having only his shield but at at moment Sandor decided it was kill or die - he used his shield as a discuss and flung it aiming at Gregors chest. The Shied swerved at a high speed from Sandors Hand and hit his brother straight on the chest causing the Huge man to stumble and crash to the floor, his sword slipping from his hand. Sandor then raced to Gregor - while he remained stunned and drew his own short sword that he had on him to stab his brother and finish him off when a loud noise interrupted. It was Maester Luwin. "It is Sunset. The Fight is over"
Sandor roared in frustration and turned to head back to the stands and the crowds murmured appreciation of the Hounds fighting and the Mountains stamina. The Dornish guards of Oberyn Martell were deeply disappointed. And then there was a gasp - The Mountain had risen, had picked up his sword and was racing towards the Hound. The Hound realized something was wrong turned back and watched the Mountain close in on him with Sword Hand held high with nothing left to defend himself having thrown his short sword in frustration a few minutes ago. Just as Gregor would have sliced his brothers neck from the body - someone rammed into him causing him to change his course of direction and the sword whished through air. The Mountain was too heavy to be floored and he recovered and stopped then turned back to face the Hound. It was Theon Greyjoy who had saved the Hounds life. Greyjoy held his Sword to face the Mountain while the Hound still weaponless looked askance at the crowd and promptly received a Heavy Steel Sword from one of the Northmen. The Mountain now faced two adversaries and raced to them to take on the fight - all the three forgetting about the Mereenese Pit or the rules. Sansa felt fear pierce her chest - Theon was no match for the Mountain, he would be cut to pieces.
The Mountain rushed Sandor before feinting and switched to Theon- his Sword swinging again. Theon barely blocked the first stroke before the Mountain pushed him off his balance and rushed him again. Theon realized he was going to die - there was no more which could help him, and then he decided to use his slight frame to his advantage. As the Sword rushed to him - Theon went down on his knees at the last moment - causing the Sword to swish through the air - while Theons sword cut both the Mountains Legs causing the Mountain to crash on the ground. Theon rose up and moved farther away - as the Mountain rose despite his pain and despite his legs bleeding. He faced the Hound and Theon - roaring in fury and anger and rushed to them when a spear from someone in the stands ripped into this throat and caused him to stop and fall on the ground. His sword dropped, the Mountain tried to rise again but failed. The Spear was too heavy and he was choking on his own blood. As he finally crashed to the floor and stayed immobile - Sandor rose above him with his Sword held high. "For Mother"- he shouted and hacked Gregors head from his body - to the roars of the Crowd.
"SANDOR CLEGANE", 'THEON GREYJOY", "PRINCE OBERYN MARTELL" - the crowds cheered and chanted. It was Oberyn who had finished off Gregor with his Spear. Gregor had violated the rules by attacking a man after the fight was declared closed so Oberyns action was legal in every way as was Theons. The Crowds were cheering in frenzy and everyone was pleased including the King.
Prince Oberyn walked to Sandor and raised Sandors hand - "Well done Clegane. You shall be Ser Clegane of Redhills in the Dorne"- Oberyn said. Clegane pushed his hand away with a huff and turned to Theon - "You Greyjoy. I am still your prisoner- escort me to my prison and get me a drink". As Theon came to guide Sandor to his quarters- the Hound turned back to look at Prince Martell and say "I am no fucking knight. I avenged my family. Take his head and go in peace"
Tyrion gave a sigh of relief. In a way it was a good way to go for the Mountain. Best to die in a fighting pit with honor after killing six knights and nearly killing the seventh. A Better way to go than to become a Monster controlled by a man maester in service to a headstrong queen, unable to eat, drink, sleep or fuck. The Fight was over and it had been a success. Now for the Grand Council and perhaps a chance to save Westeros.
SANDOR CLEGANE
It was over. After twenty one years. Sandor was finally free of his nemesis. The Hatred he had for his brother in his deepest recesses poured out of every fibre of his being now. As he walked back to his quarters- Clegane turned to Greyjoy - "You saved my life".
Greyjoy was still in a trance. It was amazing how he was still alive. It was amazing how he had executed that move with the Mountain. It was also extremely foolish of him to interfere in a fight to the death to save someone whom he did not care about. Why did he do it? It had gone well for him of course - the Greyjoys had been on the stands and had watched him survive a fight with that...creature. He turned back to Clegane and nodded- "He would have killed you unfairly"
The Hound stopped walking and gave a huge sigh. "You know why i hated him so much?"
Theon nodded. He remembered some old rumours he had heard on the stands - "He burnt your face when you were a little boy."
The Hound shook his head virgorously- "I dont care about that. I only remember that when i am drunk. It was because he raped our mother. Our mother Cassandra was only fifteen when she married our father Harmer who was forty one. By the time Gregor was sixteen years old, he was already Six Foot and Eight Inches in height and very strong. For some reason - he took an unusual fancy to my mother and raped her. I was only eleven years old then and he threatened mother to kill me or father if she did not comply. Father was in his late fifties by then and weak. He did not find other women attractive, he could not find his manhood with any other woman. One day when i was twevle years old, Father died. His death was suspicious. He supposedly died during a hunt when his horse drove him into a tree but even an illiterate man could see by the dent in his forehead that his skull was smashed into by an instrument a hundred times harder than a tree trunk. On that day Gregor became Lord of my fathers domain and openly moved into my mothers bedchambers. Ten weeks later - Mother was dead. She threw herself from the rooftops of our house. She was pregnant at the time of her death. Gregor later declared her unfaithful with a servant boy named Tom Peelers and had Peelers quartered.
I left a few days later in the middle of the night. A Servant boy gave me a letter that my mother had hidden for me along with some money. It was strange why he did not steal the money himself or give the letter to Gregor but i later found out - he was a friend of Peelers the man who had been killed by Gregor. In the letter my mother begged for forgiveness from me for her weakness, she also bade me to go on to my fathers old friend Garth Roux a Knight who lived in the crownlands. It was there that i was trained as a warrior"
Theon was speechless. He had no idea what to do or say to make the Hound comfortable by pouring his heart out to a relative stranger in an equally strange place.
The Hound continued -"I now realize that if he had lived and i had died, his atrocities would have stayed buried for ever. "
They arrived at Cleganes quarters and Theon nodded to the Four Guards who waited there. "Clegane - in all probabality you are a free man now. The King will formally declare you free, you have money now - enough to live comfortably for fifty years. You can move to Dorne, marry a Dornish girl and live in luxury and splendor. You have the rest of your life to make your peace"
Clegane laughed - "Money? Money has never meant anything to me. Women? Never been interested in women other than a temporary sexual lust. Every time i see a woman taken against her will- i get wild and angry because i see my mother in her. I dont know why i tell you all this Greyjoy - if you repeat any of this - you are a dead man"
Theon nodded. "I know...these secrets they are meant to be guarded with life. I wont betray your trust"
Sandor Clegane gave a growl as he rushed his way into his quarters as quickly as he could to run from a situation which was scaring him, from a man who would perhaps be the first friend Sandor had ever had in the last twenty or so years.
TYRION AND SANSA
Yet another meeting at the Crypts and this was the riskiest of them all. It was near midnight of a hectic day and people were still all around Winterfell - still Sansa had to take the risk. The risk was well founded - Tyrion was in the Crypts - he usually was - every day hoping to meet Sansa or Varys or at least end up with a long list of Dead Starks and their order of rule.
Four enemies of the realm who had caused irrepairable damage to the Iron Throne and Westeros in the previous timeline had been neutralized. Cersei Lanniser, Euron Greyjoy, Qyburn and the Mountain - four enemies who had lasted till the very end and had killed at least two thousand people between them had been silenced - three with death and one with permanent imprisonment and loss of the will to live. The realm was still in the hands of Robert Baratheon - not exactly a cruel king but not someone equipped with saving humanity from the white walkers. His successor Stannis Baratheon would also be worthless in that aspect.
"So you sold the secret of the tunnels to the King to ask for my hand?"- Sansa asked Tyrion and the Dwarf nodded.
"My Fathers days are finished. I have a letter he instructed me to open on his death so i know he means to make a last stand. He had no intention of bringing the East or anyone else into a War for Westeros so my giving away the secrets of the Tunnels would not make things worse, it may end things more quickly for both my father and Rob...the King"
"And Varys advises me to show shock and consternation when the King asks his question?"
Tyrion nodded -"Yes. People have to believe that you are unhappy with the match but forced to say yes due to some compulsion. Once you give consent before the King, you are safe. Even your father cannot stop you from marrying me and if he asks you why you agreed- you say I know Jons secret. This way it makes things more believable."
Sansa nodded. It made sense. The Seventeen year old Sansa would have fainted had someone suggested a match for her with Tyrion Lannister. It looked like a reasonable ruse
Then Lady stood up and growled, her hairs raised, her teeth bared in fury. Someone else was here. Sansa and Tyrion were alarmed. Only Varys knew the secret door to the Crypts - so this person must have entered from the front entrance. Even her father did not explore so deep into the Crypts so who could it be? Tyrion felt naked. If they were caught - it would be inexplicable. The Northmen would demand his head. Meeting a virgin girl unless she was a bethrothed or a wife, especially one who was daughter of the Warden of the North would be a death sentence. Sansa stood up and held her nerve "Who is there"- she asked?
The hooded figure came into the light and the hood dropped off. It was the Red Woman - Melisandre. Her eyes were wide open on seeing Sansa and Tyrion. She walked closer to them ignoring the snarling Direwolf until she was barely five feet away from Tyrion, Sansa and Lady. She looked at Lady and gave a gentle smile and Lady walked away and sat down in the corner of the Crypt - her mistress still in her immediate view.
"Who are you?"- Melisandre asked Sansa and Tyrion
Tyrion stuttered. Somehow the Red Woman had gone exploring the Crypts and had come across them. He had to bluff her - "I am Lord Tyrion son of Tywin and Lord of Caste..."
She raised her hand to stop him. "Where do you come from? Both of you? You are not from this world are you?"
Sansa and Tyrion were stunned. They had no idea what to reply. Lying did not seem a good option. The Lady was a priestess. Nevertheless, Tyrion decided to give a last try "What World? What are you talking about woman?"
Melisandre frowned back at him - "You know what i mean. Stop pretending. If you are not from this world you must have been sent from somewhere for a purpose. I knew it from the moment i saw you in the stands during the fight. You were glowing. I know that glow - it glows when someone is from a different world and not from here. The Lady too. I followed her into the Crypts and realized that you both were from somewhere else. Now tell me the truth"
Sansa and Tyrion looked at each other. Tyrion then shrugged. "You are right. We come from a different World. Why we came we dont know"
Melisandre nodded and bade them to sit down as she sat down herself. "Come to me"- she invited Sansa. Sansa was nervous as hell but there were no other options, besides the woman could help them. She was the only one who realized they were different. Perhaps she could guide them.
Sansa walked to Melisandre and sat down beside her - Melisandre held Sansas hands and closed her eyes. Lai...Maiyai...werzak...alyadoot...Lai...Maiyai...werzaki...alyadoot...Lai...Maiyai...werzak...alyadoot...Lai...Maiya
There was a Huge flash of light
The World was different...the images folded...She could see herself with Stannis - Naked - in act of copulation. She could see the spawn of darkness rising from her and leaving the entrance to kill someone who stood between Stannis and his destiny.
She could see Shireen Baratheon tied to a wooden pole - screaming with piteous cries as she watched with a pleasure she had not known - a pleasure of sacrificing someone to the Lord of the Light. She could see Queen Selyse hanging herself on a tree. She could see her mistake. Stannis was not the chosen one - she could see his glow disappearing - Stannis was only meant to guide her to the Chosen one - who was someone else.
She could see the boy - older now but definitely him - she could see him dead...yet she still saw the light...he still had the light...he had his destiny...she could see herself calling out to his soul - she could see his soul raised back from the afterlife back into life...
She could see the Corpses all animated and attacking - yet none touching her. She could see the Night King shatter into pieces by the little girl who leapt through the air with a dagger...and she finally saw herself removing her ruby lifestone and dissolving into the sands of time...her task an utter failure
She gave a gasp of breath as she found herself back in her present. Sansa was still there - her hands still in Melisandres hands. Tyrion and Lady looking on curiously. Melisandre felt the hot tears pouring through her eyes - "I failed the Lord. I made a mistake...I thought Stannis was the one but he was not. I saw the light in Stannis but the light was only a guiding light - meant to guide me to the Chosen one. I...killed...the girl... She was not meant to kill the lord of darkness...The Cycle is not yet over..."
Sansa and Tyrion remained silent as Melisandre sobbed at her failure. She then rose and turned to them. "You have seen the prince of Darkness?"
Tyrion and Sansa shook their heads. They had never seen the Night King - only his progeny and creations.
"He is just that - a Creature of the Darkness, a harbringer of death. Only a Creature of light, a harbringer of life can vanquish him completely. Until then he will always keep being born and attempting to end humanity. I had always thought Stannis would be the one but i was wrong. I know that now. It is the boy Jon Snow who is the chosen one. The prince who was promised..."
"ENOUGH!"- Tyrion shouted. "Enough of prophecies. I have had enough of this nonsense. Prince that was promised, Azhor Azhai, Sword of the faithful, Lightning Sword - nothing works. It took us longer to destroy Kingslanding than to kill the Night King. For all the tall talk - a young girl of eighteen killed him amidst seven or eight white walkers who surprisingly did not hear her stalking him. He cared nothing about Jon Snow. He was interested in a crippled boy in a wheelchair who called himself the three eyed raven. We committed enough stupidity with all these prophecies"
"You are angry and rightly so"- Melisandre said. "The Prince of the Darkness did not expect the girl to kill him. He was mistaken. He believed it was the crippled boy who was his real enemy - the son of the light. The Prince did not expect the girl to kill him. It was perhaps why he did not sense her, the walkers did not sense her"
"Oh Sure"- Tyrion said bitterly-"More theories. Nobody knew how things ended in Winterfell that day. People who were sure of death - survived only to be killed in random ways later. Missandei a friend of mine - survived the Nig...your Prince of Darkness only to be beheaded by a half man half monster cunt created by an even bigger one, my brother fought hordes of them with one hand and a plump simpering maester called Samwell Tarly who has never picked up a sword in anger survived the battle in all its rage while braver men died. The most terrifying being in the world killed by a chit of a girl in a Godswood"
Sansa stayed silent. Tyrion was right. The Night of the Living Dead was indeed a terrifying memory but listening to Lord Tyrion did make it a joke. How Ser Davos and Samwell Tarly had survived outside the Crypts when finer fighters like Jorah Mormont had died. How Arya had managed the leap to jump over White Walkers that could apparently hear a drop of blood. These were questions that were supressed after the battle but were raised today by Tyrion.
Melisandre smiled now - "Yet you return back to ensure that fate follows its path this time. Somehow the two of you have been responsible for the deviations in fates path that resulted in the Prince of Darknesses true destiny"
Sansa and Tyrion glanced at each other. Two of them? Responsible for deviations on fates path? It meant Varys and the Unseem shadow were also responsible for fate changing its course and allowing the Night King yet another lease of life.
Tyrion asked Melisandre the most obvious question - "So what do you do now?"
Melisandre smiled - "I leave Stannis immediately. I know my destiny now. I shall seek answers of Kinvara the High Priestess of Myr and shall return with the knowledge to save Mankind and correct your destiny"
She then smiled at Sansa and Tyrion - "I feel i shall be seeing you very soon in a very different place. I fear you have a long stay ahead of you here. Ensure Jon Snow lives and ensure you dont make the same mistakes you did to change fate the last time". She turned to walk away from the Crypts and began walking towards the entrance
Sansa interjected -"But we have no idea what we did..."
Melisandres words floated across the Wind - "Think, Think and Think"
THE BROTHERHOOD
Beric Dondarion, Thoros of Myr, Fredrick Strase, Richard of Wegerath and Ser Barristan Selmy sad huddled in the Icy cold tent by the fire. It had been fifteen days since they had arrived here and had made the request to the King. Only Thoros knew what he was talking about - the others were there because they believed in Thoros entirely - especially Beric who had been revived Five Times from Death by the Priest. Barristan was here for strategic reasons. He knew if their task was successful - it would bring a Targaryen closer to the Iron Throne. He did not believe in anything else that Thoros of Myr spoke about.
They had gone through the wall with Lord Commander Mormonts permission and into the far recesses of the snowlands. Thoros had talked peace visits and meetings with eagles and falcons which Barristan felt was nonsense until they came upon the group of Wildlings who lead them to more wildlings who lead them to even more wildlings.
Thoros had met the King Mance Rayder in person to make his request and the King instead of killing him, asked for some time. It had been nearly fifteen days since they had arrived and every day was an agonizing wait. There was food, wine and women but everything lacked quality and taste. The Food was primarily wild game but not Pheasants or Chickens or Rabbit but Voles, Shadowcats, Snow rats- tough stringy and tasteless meat, the wine was local and lacked the depth and the spiciness of Northern wine and the women looked dead when love was made to them. Their expressions never changed. It looked like they had never felt or tasted any ecstacy.
Ser Barristan heard some noises and murmurs. If the King would refuse them their request - their lives might be forfeit and his mission would come to a sticky end. The Brothers rose in tandem - and watched Tormund Giantsbane - close friend and top lieutenant of the King - enter their tent. Giantsbane gave them a long hard look before telling them "The King Agrees to your request. We march to the Wall by tomorrow. A Raven has been sent to the Wall"