Tyrion tried feverishly to come up with smart words to save Rebekah from Joffrey's mood. His nephew wasn't immune to Rebekah's flattery, but Littefinger had some influence as well. Or maybe Gregor Clegane scared him.
Something had to be done.
-„Your Grace, as the Hand of the King I say Lady Rebekah should marry the Mountain. It's the most clever decision."
Tyrion stepped up next to Lady Rebekah who looked at him like if he just lost his mind.
She felt betrayed, Tyrion saw that, but now everything depended on Joffrey.
His nephew's face darkened. „Uncle, what interest do you take in the wedding?"
-„Oh, that's to be my concern. The hand of the king -" Tyrion said lightly, observing Joffrey's slightest movement.
-„It's not the hand of the king who decides. It's me. The king."
Tyrion played disappointment. „But your Grace! Please reconsider..!"
-„Lady Rebekah will get a tourney, and the best archer shall win her as a bride. I am the king and I do as I like, uncle." Joffrey smirked, rubbing his hands, too happy to defeat Tyrion.
-„Lord Baelish, you will help her to prepare it. I'm already exited to see who wins."
Rebekah's heart stopped the moment she processed Tyrion's words. Before her mind captured his plan, fear and disappointment hit her like a wave, threatening to make her fall.
Slowly, she began to understand how clever Tyrion manipulated Joffrey in doing the exact opposite of what Tyrion supposedly wanted. Still, Rebekah felt dizzy from the shock. When Joffrey declared his verdict, Rebekah was torn between gratitude and despise for the sadistic boy king.
„Thank you, your Grace." She managed to whisper and to bow down, the tears in her eyes being real ones this time.
„She belongs to me!" the Mountain roared and wielded his sword. Rebekah jumped away with a small cry before Gregor's sword could cut her in half. Not for the first time, she wished she had any weapon to defend herself, because Clegane's face was red in anger and his cruel eyes starred down at her. His sword looked larger than herself, and Rebekah realized no one was helping. Not even the Kingsgard was moving to stop the unleashed animal.
The nobles backed away as Rebekah approached them.
„Don't you see that Ser Glegane doesn't belong at court, especially not in the presence of all those honorable lords and ladies?" it took all her courage to say something, and first her voice sounded meek but gained strength as she spoke.
„If I had not reacted, my head would not be on my shoulders anymore." She accused and Clegane moved far quicker than she expected, wielding his sword again into her direction. Rebekah let herself fall to the ground to avoid his reach, her senses heightened by fear.
„Enough!" Joffrey yelled with his piercing voice. The Mountain hesitated. Rebekah was near enough to see the bloodthirst in his eyes. Almost feverishly, Rebekah remembered dogs became aggressive if one looked into their eyes. But looking down meant submission and defeat. Suddenly, she felt a cold dagger slipped into her hands from behind. „Do not move. If he strikes again, try for his knees. Then run." A voice whispered into her ear. Bronn. A part of her was angry that he stayed so passive, yet winning against the Mountain was almost impossible.
Rebekah nodded, then fixed Glegane's black eyes. Fear rushed through her veins like cold water, awakening her will to fight.
„YOU LITTLE BITCH! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THIS!" the Mountain yelled, and the crowd gasped and panically pressed themselves against the walls, trying to put space between the monster and themselves.
„Stop it now! I am the King and I command you to stop!" Joffrey cried, his face almost as red as Clegane's. But Gregor did not listen to his King.
He attacked Rebekah again, this time aiming lower. But Rebekah was quick enough to escape to his left. Clegane let out a loud cry like he was chasing a annoying fly he couldn't catch.
He was way to quick for a man of his frame. Rebekah simply acted on instinct, but when she tripped and fell to the floor, she knew it was the last time she could escape his attacks.
Now that she was on the floor, the Mountain was even bigger than before, towering above her. She held her dagger in front of her, but it was most likely just a thoothpick for the giant.
-„STOP THIS MADNESS IMMEDIATELY OR I WILL CUT OFF YOUR HEAD!"
This time, Clegane remembered he was in front of the Irone Throne and had just ignored his king.
The Kingsguard slowly came to move again. Sandor Glegane was the first to step infront of his brother, his sword pointed on him. „Ser Clegane, you may return to the Riverlands to my grandfather. Do not return to court for a long time since you decide to defeat your king. Do that again and I will have you put down like a ragid animal."
Gregor Clegane spat on the floor in despise, then put his sword away. With a last hateful glance to Rebekah, Sandor and then to Joffrey, he left the hall, his steps making the ground tremble.
Someone grabbed Rebekah's arm and helped her on her feet. Bronn supported her, with Tyrion following close behind. „I'm alright." She said, hearing her high-pitched voice made her realize she didn't sound very convincing.
„I know my lady, but we have to get you out of here." Tyrion said softly. „The Mountain doesn't look to pleased." Bronn added and took the dagger out of her stiff hands.
Everything else that happened later appeared dreamlike, just people moving around her, looking at her with contempt, admiration or simple confusion. The threat was banned. Rebekah didn't need to marry that brutal monster.
Tyrion, Bronn and Podrick, who appeared next to them brought her to her chambers. Her legs were trembling as the fear slowly lost the effect on her.
-„Podrick, go and find Shae please. Bonn, Shagga should be around, eager to protect Valla."
-„I've got some boys from the citywatch." Bronn suggested, but Tyrion shook his head. „No, it's safer with the hilltribes, they're wild and brutal but they worship her."
„I'm fine, I really am." Rebekah said again, her voice steadier this time. „You treat me as if I was going to break down."
Bronn rolled his eyes. „Kitten, not everyone encounters the Mountain like this and survives."
She looked at him with widened eyes,
-„I did nothing except escaping his attack." Rebekah was interrupted.
-„Lady Rebekah, you were immensly brave today, but now we must think about how to further proceed. Tyrion muttered, walking up and down the chamber, rubbing his temples.
„You have to be married as quick as possible." He added, and Rebekah hated to be treated like a child whose damage had to be repaired. Like she didn't knew her only purpose was to wed a husband able to stand up to Lord Mycah and now to Ser Clegane. The Lady of Shadowcastle would be sold away only to secure her family's birthright. Well, at least not sold anymore, she corrected herself.
-„I understand that, Tyrion." Rebekah said, „Although I ask myself who'd want to wed me." The words came out of her mouth without thinking. They caused Tyrion to stop in his walking and Bronn to shake his head in disbelief.
-„I'm disobedient. I run away from my Lord Stepfather and travel through woods and warcamps. I use weapons and I ride horses instead of sewing and behaving like a true lady. I argue with Ser Gregor Clegane. I'm a nightmare of a wife, am I not?"
All the tension of the day released with her outburst. Rebekah said the truth, but it was clear it wasn't the real issue. Being a meek lady had never really been her dream or intention anyways.
The feeling of being helpless was just overwhelming. The woman caught sight of a blanket on one of the chairs, emerauld green with a black shadowcat embroided on it. Faster, Higher, Stronger. Shadowcats were independant, strong creatures, hiding in the hills but showing their claws if threatened.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Tyrion's bodyguard. „Oh don't worry, m'lady, there's still worse than you. Look at you: Pretty face, good hips and a name promising wealth and power."
Rebekah looked at him in disbelief, trying to read his icy blue eyes „That was insolent, Bronn."
-„It's not insolence telling the truth. If you'd ask me, I think defeating the Mountain is rather impressing. A men who doesn't esteem courage as quality doesn't deserve you." He replied. Before Rebekah could ask him why he was so unusually nice, Shae walked in with a steady pace, pushing him away.
-„You can all leave now." Tyrion's mistress ordered. The women rested her hands on her hips, making clear she was in charge now. Bronn and Tyrion grinned, turning towards the door. „Lady Rebekah?" Tyrion paused. „I'm proud of you. You fought like a lion today."
-„No, you were the lion. I fought like a Shadowcat."
Hi :) I'm so amazed by the great feedback to the last chapter! Thanks to LadyBaelish, Anna.B, HermioneandMarcus, jumpmagicjump, 7, sassygirl9811 and veri01.
Maybe the reversed psychology trick was too obvious ;) You all guessed it right!
Anna.B: I don't know if I can bring Oberyn Martell into the competition, but he will definitely interact with Rebekah and Bronn! I already have some ideas to include him in the story because he's one of my favorite characters. Can't wait to see him against the Mountain this sunday ;)
Next chapter: Princess Myrcella leaves for Dorne and Joffrey causes a riot in flea bottom.