"I don't care if you wear blue or green or white or plain nothing" Bronn sighed annoyedly, listening to Rebekah's talk about dresses, arrangements and wedding ceremonies.
She had her arm hooking under his as they walked through the gardens.
The Tyrell women stood out among the other nobles with their loud laughter, bright colored fabrics and lowcut dresses, revealing very much skin.
One of the Tyrells approached, her hips swinging with every step, her brown soft hair hanging in beautiful waves over her shoulders. A few other ladies followed her, giggling and whispering as the first one lead the way.
"I believe it's Margaery Tyrell" Rebekah whispered to Bronn, then painted a warm smile on her face.
"You are Lady Rebekah, aren't you? Red hair, beautiful and a handsome sellsword on her arm" Margaery greeted her enthusiaticly. Rebekah could not help but compare her to the bitter and cold Cersei. The Lady of Highgarden radiated warmth and youth, smiling charmingly and instantly treating Rebekah like a friend.
At some point Rebekah had learned in Casterly Rock that nice smiles and friendly behavior could hide the most horrid personalities.
"So you are Margaery Tyrell, the remarkable betrothed of the King and prettiest rose of Highgarden" Rebekah flattered her on an equally level. She could feel Bronn stiffen next to her. This was not a situation he felt overly comfortable with.
"I have elsewhere to go" he muttered while keeping his eyes on Margaery.
Rebekah noticed his gaze and felt a sting in her heart. She was almost happy he was leaving them. She didn't want him to stare at Margaery's beautiful curves and soft features.
She pushed the thoughts aside as she realized she was actually jealous.
"How sad he can't stay" Margaery pouted and took Bronn's place by hooking her arm under Rebekah's.
"Apologies, this is all new to him " Rebekah explained the lack of an apology and proper titles.
"Oh no, please, I already like him. How exciting to marry someone still untouched from the many rules and restrictions we nobles suffer from, don't you agree?" she asked cheerfully, and Rebekah chuckled: "Indeed, my lady."
"Call me Margaery, my dear. A brave women like you must simply be my friend."
Margaery was wedding Joffrey. Rebekah could not imagine being braver than her.
"You flatter me. When I hear of you compassion you show with the poorest and most helpless people in flea bottom, I can't help but want your friendship as well."
"That makes me so happy, Bekah. Can I call you Bekah?" she asked and Rebekah tried not to flinch. It was the nickname her brothers gave her. Roran and Dewan were the only ones allowed to call her Bekah.
But Margaery was Lady Tyrell, betrothed to the King.
"When can I meet your brother. Megga and Alla and are so eager to know the handsome Lord Dewan. Maybe I should arrange a feast for both our families" Margaery smiled with glooming eyes.
Rebekah immediately realized Margaery's intentions.
House Waldorf was a minor House compared to the Tyrells, but the cousins of a younger branch of the family would make a remarkable match with Dewan. He was the Lord and of importance to Lord Tywin.
"My brother is always eager to meet pretty Ladies as well, I fear" Rebekah joked and Margaery chuckled.
OoOoO
"My lady, I always honored your mother and father, I was only serving your family!" Branston exclaimed, sitting on the ground of his cell.
Rebekah was escorted by two Stone Crows and Bronn, who leaned against the wall behind her, silently watching the scenery
"You already said that. I'm not questioning your loyalty, Ser Branston. It explains why you killed Mycah Kenning, but it doesn't explain why you attacked by betrothed Ser Bronn in battle and ordered his death. How is that serving the family?" Rebekah asked calmly.
"Because the rat is no match for you! He is dishonoring the family name! Lady Kathryna's name! You can't imagine how awful it was for me to see that this remarkable women married the cruel Lord Kenning. I swore I would protect her and her children, and when you left with the Imp for Casterly Rock, all my suspisions about Kenning were proved longed for you in ways he never should have! I was happy you escaped him without being harmed!" Branston said with a rough voice, but Rebekah made him a sign to continue.
She already knew the story to well. Yet the way Branston said her mother's name added an aspect she had never thought about. Maybe Ser Branston Hill's loyality had very particular reasons.
"While you were gone, Dewan was going to to what had to be done, so that you could return to Shadow Castle. He wanted to duel with Mycah but Ser Roran forbid it" Branston's face darkened and Rebekah felt there was only one part of the riddle to solve yet.
"You urged Roran to kill Mycah." she said slowly.
"Ser Roran was weak, my lady. He left for Reyna Corbray without thinking about you and your younger brother. It may sound cruel, but it's better for your family that Roran is dead."
OoOoO
"Ser Branston is truly insane! How is it possible that all of this happened right under our noses?" Rebekah exclaimed angrily. She was sitting at Tyrion's bed, with Shae on the other side. Bronn was walking up and down the room, looking bored as always. But Rebekah could tell he was thinking about Branston as well.
"Mycah was the one true ennemy and your brother Roran didn't act against him" Shae said, softly patting Tyrion's fronthead.
Rebekah watched her task and her sleeping friend. Tyrion would already know the answer.
Not just because he was smart, but also because he understood everyone's motivations and goals.
Branston's goal was to get rid of Mycah... and Roran had been in his way.
Rebekah gasped. A plan was forming in her mind, something she would never imagined Branston was capable of. But her travels and experiences had changer her view on things. People were capable of almost everything.
"Mycah kept saying he did not kill my brother. Kenna was lying to me, I felt it. Branston murdered him. Ser Branston Hill murdered Roran" She breathed in shock. Shae and Bronn stared at her, trying to follow her.
"Branston got rid of Mycah and Roran at the same time so that Dewan and I stayed safe... and we all blamed Lord Mycah" Rebekah says slowly, feeling the truth behind her words.
"How can he be so loyal to Kathryna's children and then kill her eldest son?" Shae questioned.
"Branston believes it's a necessary sacrifice. If Roran is to week to defend me and the Castle, he has to die so that we have even more reasons to condamn Mycah and Dewan can take his place as stronger Lord" The words came without hesitation. Suddenly, all seemed clear to her.
It was time to finally learn the truth. Branston would be questioned again, along with Kenna. Kenna Rykker had betrayed Rebekah, lied to her face.
Bronn smiled to himself when Rebekah realized what he had suspected already when he'd seen Branston in his cell. They were finally getting rid of the big mess Branston Hill had caused.
OoOoO
Tyrion Lannister was unhappy. He was finally awake, only to realize his father and his sister had destroyed everything he had built. No one thanked him for his role in the battle, only Shae and Rebekah visited him at his bed.
He was truly crushed. Yet he tried to cover his feelings when Rebekah told him about the events that followed the battle of Blackwater Bay.
Tyrion liked listening to her, she was not leaving out a single thing about the night. Bronn grimaced when she told about her encounter with the Hound, so apparently she had not told him. The story about Mycah and Branston was almost absurde, but made sense in the end.
Ser Branston was executed two days ago, after Kenna Rykker admitted he had blackmailed her to lie for him. Lord Varys confired his little birds had known Mycah was not Roran's murderer and that Branston had paid bandits to kill Roran Waldorf. Bronn attested Branston's attempts to kill him as well, and in the end, Ser Illyn Pain ended Braston Hill's life.
The wedding would be the next day.
She blushed when she told him about the preparations for the feast, but Tyrion could see she was not reluncant to the marriage. Their was a connection between the two of them, Tyrion could not deny it. Even if it wasn't love, maybe Bronn's practical sense and Rebekah's heart would make this odd marriage work anyway.