~Elena~
My breath came in shallow pants as I dodged another blow to the ribs, muscles screaming with the effort.
"You're getting slow with your fatigue. You have to always remain quick. Always vigil." Uncle Oberyn explained as we circled each other, weapons at the ready.
"We've been at this for hours. Why don't you tell me what this is about?" I asked as he took another swipe at my exposed thigh. I'd ripped one of my dresses for the occasion, leaving my feet bare, hair scooped in a bun at the nape of my sweat coated neck.
"Your love for the Lannister half man." I stumbled, the stinging smack of his sword against my rump a reward for my failure.
"I'm not in love with him." I snapped as I tried to go in low, slashing at his knees. He laughed as he bound away from me, feet light, like he was dancing.
"I am no fool niece. You've been trying to figure out how Joffery was poisoned with hundreds of people watching. You haven't slept for more than an hour, you haven't eaten." I twirled away from another stab at my stomach, a risky move but it put me farther away from him than simply stepping back.
"I'm trying to prove that Sansa is not guilty." I declared as I wiped sweat from my eyes, pushing a strand of sweat soaked hair behind my ear.
"Don't make me laugh. That girl is gone. It makes little difference if she is guilty or not if she is no longer here. So why keep searching if it is not for him?" I growled in frustration as he danced closer, more because I knew he was right than because I was getting beat.
"Why are we practicing like we're about to go to war?" I asked in return, a frown pulled at his lips as he took a step back.
"I've been asked to be a judge at Tyrion's trial." I stopped short, quickly catching myself as he tried to smack me with his sword again.
"Why? I don't understand?"
"Tywin Lannister insisted." My teeth clenched as I thought of the balding man, with his beaked nose and underhanded ways. He'd approached me about testifying against Tyrion, telling me I'd be a very wealthy woman if I'd say I was his whore.
"I bet it didn't take much. It's no secret you hold nothing but hatred for the Lannisters." I faltered again, taking an elbow to the chest that pushed all the air from my lungs.
"They killed my sister, Elia. I want revenge for her rape and murder. Killing your little lord will not accomplish that." Oberyn grunted as he kneeled before me, eyes pleading with me to trust him. "Have you gone to see him?"
"I'm not allowed. Apparently, until Sansa is found, I am also under investigation seeing as how I was her handmaiden and close friend." The idea was ridiculous. Sure I wanted Joffery dead, and I admit, I was not above poisoning someone, but I'd been to caught up with my whirlwind emotions to give murdering the king much thought.
"It will be over soon, but until then. I have to make sure you can protect yourself." Then we were back at it. Blades clashing once more and we struggled to take each other down.