"You did not expect that, didn't you?" the redcloak sneared. The voice sounded familiar. He could barely understand what was happening.
"Wait" the man ordered and the second soldier ceased his attack on Bronn.
"Ser? He saw you! We must kill him" the soldier protested.
"I will have the pleasure to do it myself" Mycah's killer spat, "You're the man who will destroy the most delicate flower in Westeros only for his selfish amusements. You are not even worth the mud under my shoes"
"Ser Hill, isn't it? Not so loyal after all" Bronn mocked the older man, who approached slowly. Bronn reached for the knife on his back.
"I am the only one loyal to the Waldorfs. Lady Kathryna was everything to me, everything, before the Kenning snake made itself Lord. He was danger to Kathryna's children. He wanted to marry Rebekah, but she is just like her mother. Never let him anywhere near him, and so he wanted to kill her."
"Ahh. So you're the fierce warrior protecting the Lady. Nice work" Bronn sneared, then swirled around and quickly showed his knife in the gap between the helmet and the breastplate of the second soldier.
"I am the one who takes the matter in his own hands"
Ser Branston Hill rushed to his soldier's help, but Bronn was agile enough to evade his sword and to cut the man's leg open with one stroke.
"I'm done with you pals chatting while I am fighting a battle" Bronn nonchalantly informed the knight who broke down instantly.
With that, Bronn left Ser Branston Hill bleeding in the sand, not caring wether he lived or died.
OoOoO
Tywin Lannister and the Tyrells were the ones who sealed Stannis' defeat. Although Bronn was too busy to actually see them. He was slowly growing tired as the battle had last several hours. The initial rush was fading, but he joined into the cries of victory.
Tyrion Lannister was wounded, an axe had left a deep cut over his face. Bronn and Podrick took care of him and Bronn made sure members of the hillbtribes guarded the imp additionally. Intuition guided him as he suspected the stroke had not been from one of Stannis' men. Maybe it was the look in the squire's eyes or the way Meryn Trant grinned when he passed, or maybe Bronn was just foolish.
Eventually, Tyrion had to be brought into safety. The place before the gates of Red Keep was full of Lannisters and Tyrells, soldiers celebrating their victory while others were bleeding, slowly dying of their wounds. It was extremely chaotic, but Bronn and the wildings managed their way through.
He catched the sight of Dewan Waldorf, but he didn't bother to talk to him. The man seemed alright to him.
After Tyrion was taken care of, Bronn was tempted into joining the celebrations in the nearest brothel. There was nothing like a women after a fight. Yet he wandered through the palace, observing newly arrived soldiers.
His goldcloaks had fought well, yet they had several losses. Bronn would have to deal with them the next day.
Suddenly, Rebekah showed up and threw herself into his arms. The girl was crying, he could feel the sobs against his chest.
Bronn was still taken aback by her open display of her affections for him. It was unusual someone was crying for him.
"You're safe now" Bronn patted her back, not quite sure how to comfort her.
"I am safe?!" she asked in disbelief, raising her head to face him with her golden eyes.
"You were the one fighting out there. You risked your life for all of us!" she said with a shaken voice.
"Every man with a sword risked his life tonight. Nothing special about me, kitten."
"Believe it or not, I am very glad you returned"
"Your brother and stepfather hoped I would not, didn't they?"
Rebekah looked up again and frowned:"I don't believe my brother dislikes you. Mycah on the other hand..."
"He won't bother you again" Bronn said, hoping to find the best way to deliver the news, "Mycah is dead."
Subtlety was not his strength apparently, but he watched Rebekah's reaction closely.
A mixture of relief, surprise and grief. Only a girl like Rebekah could grief for a cruel man like Mycah, Bronn thought.
He took both her hands into his, bending his head so that he was on her height.
"See Branston Hill murdered him, Rebekah. He wanted Mycah dead all along and was waiting for the right opportunity."
"You must be mistaken" Rebekah gasped, her eyes widened.
With a few more words, he explained what happened on the shores of Blackwater Bay. Bronn could see the color fade from Rebekah's face as she listened.
"Branston... he was always the most loyal" She breathed, her hands clasping his.
"He thought getting rid of me and Mycah was best for you" Rebekah's eyes were filled with tears, but she swallowed hardly and raised her head.
"Ser Hill must be punished for murdering his Lord and attacking my betrothed" she said with determination.
"I sent my boys to lock him up in the cells" Bronn nodded, glad he had not yet killed Branston.
"Tyrion will condenm him." Rebekah said and then held her breath when she saw the change in Bronn's relaxed expression.
"Tyrion is wounded... he will live, but I fear you can not ask him." Suddenly, Bronn asked himself why he was the one who had to bring the bad news. The girl was hardly holding herself together after the long night.
"I will go to him immediately!" she cried, already attempting to walk away, but Bronn caught her hands in his, letting her stop in her mouvements.
"Go to sleep now, kitten. The battle is over. Tyrion can wait until tomorrow"
Rebekah nodded slowly, then leaned in and left a brief kiss on his lips.
Bronn watched her leaving, asking himself how and when she had managed to turn him so soft.
OoOoO
Mycah's funeral was held in the Great Sept of Baelor along with other highborn Lords fallen in battle.
Rebekah expected to feel happiness, relief, sadness, hate, anything really – but she there was a cold void in her heart when the Septon praid for Mycah. Dewan was as silent as a statue next to her.
"I wish I could truly hate him, it would make it easier. Now I don't know what to do. You always know. You're the most intelligent man in Westeros. When you wake up, you'll show them all..." Rebekah kept talking to Tyrion, although she was well aware he was not hearing her. One part of her was happy to have a quiet place away from all the troubles after the war with Stannis. Tywin Lannister was back, and with him half the Lannister forces and the Tyrells. Rebekah was not overly eager to face them two days after the dreading night.
Somehow she found the strenght to meet her brother. They had to discuss Ser Branston's punishment, but Dewan was just staring quitely into his cup of wine. Although the sun was shining brightly over their heads, the sensation of a grey veil laying above the beauty of the gardens was ever present.
"We don't need to punish him, Bekah. He did us a great favor with killing Mycah. The man wanted to kill us! He murdered our brother!" Dewan argued and Rebekah shook her head."
"Mycah was his Lord. Maybe he was not supposed to be the Lord of Shadow Castle, but he was Mycah Kenning of Kayce. Even though he was our opponent, we owe him at least some respect. If not for the outer appearance, but for the fact he was our mother's husband.
"Don't be so soft-hearted" Dewan sneered before turning away, „Question him if it pleases you, but I will set him free."
Rebekah remained silent, shocked by her brother's harsh words.
„Bekah? You marry that sellsword as quick as possible" Dewan added demandingly.
"When Tyrion wakes up" Rebekah answered but Dewan's gaze darkened.
„No, sister. We need an heir for our House. I will search for a bride to do my part, but the wedding will take in two days."
Rebekah watched him leave, wondering when her brother had stopped to be a boy and become a lord. But they all had to grow up if they wanted to survive.
115 reviews! It's amazing, thank you so much! :)
I know the pace of the story is bit slow, but there are so many characters and things I want to include but sometimes it just takes too long :D
And OMFG, the season finale. I won't spoiler for those who have not seen it yet, but NOOOO! WHYYYY? Who else is emotionally traumatized?
Anyways, Bronn has survived another season which is a real accomplishment in GoT. Good for Rebekah :D
xoxo & Liebe Grüße