Chapter 28.
The weeks moved by, Sandor and Meleko went to the ship several times a week. Sandor had to admit, as much as part of him didn't want to, that Tomaerys was a good man who did love Shalene. They sparred, taught each other as well as learned from and about the other. They rarely brought talking about Shalene into their time, they both seemed to have a personal boundary that the other had respect enough not to cross. Tomaerys was learning to speak with Sandor and between Shalene, Tomaerys, and Meleko, Sandor was learning Dothraki.
Sandor knew that Shalene visited Tomaerys, but he never knew when, she seemed to do this when he was busy for many hours and he gave her the same respect when he spent time with the other women. About a month before the wedding, Jaxell came to Sandor and told him that OnIeese was with child. He seemed to be the happiest man Sandor had ever seen. He was happy for them but there was a part of him that he couldn't seem to quieten, it was his child. He cared too much about the couple to ever take their happiness so he slapped Jaxell on his shoulder and gave his congratulations. He assured Jaxell that the babe would want for nothing. He thought about her making the trip across the Narrow Sea and told Jaxell that if they wished, they had leave not to go. They could, instead, go on to Emerald Bay but Jaxell assured him that they wanted him near when the baby was born. Sandor was touched by this.
As the wedding drew nearer, there was a flurry of activity. Tailors, seamstresses, fitting, Sandor and Lucian tried to hide so often that Shalene threatened to gild them if they tried any more tricks! As The Queen didn't want Ellaria, Shalene, Jonete' and Kolenee at wedding, the two former because they weren't married, the two latter because they were Sandor's "whores," Lord Tywin stepped in and put an end to the problems Cercei had started. As Prince Oberyn was on the Small Council, it was agreed that the Dornish would sit on the opposite side of The Royal Family. It infuriated both Cercei and Lord Tywin when Sandor flatly declined to be seated on the Lannister\Tyrell side, making it more than clear, he would either be seated with Shalene and his "whores" or he would be on his way to Dorne and kill anyone who tried to stop him. He said he needed to blood his new steel anyway and any body would work.
The day of the wedding dawned cloudy and left no doubt that it would rain. Other than a few necessities, all those who were leaving, had their belongings sent on to the ships. Sandor and Lucian were dressing when Lucian said, "Father, how old do I have to be to have a woman?"
Sandor dropped the dagger he was about to belt on and turned to Lucian," Son, why are you wanting to bed a woman now? I suppose you're old enough, I was two and ten the first time I bought a whore although I was bigger than most grown men at that time."
Lucian asked," Well, when will you take me? Or can Shalene or Bronn take me? I'm three and ten, near a man grown, I am old enough." Sandor rubbed his forehead and said," Look, Son, let's just get past this wedding and we'll talk again. Deal?" Lucian agreed.
The guests would be riding in covered carriages due to the rain, Sandor, Lucian, and Bronn rode on horseback around the women. Twenty of The Unsullied followed Sandor's group, on foot. Once at The Sept, Sandor and Lucian helped the women up the steps and The unsullied stood on guard along the back of The Sept. Sandor couldn't help but admire his women, they were the most beautiful there. Shalene wore a fitted gown of deep pink, it was made even more vibrant by the color of her hair, skin and eyes. Kolenee wore an elegant pale green gown that brought out the green of her eyes. She was glowing. Sandor faintly recognized that glow but couldn't place it and then his gaze lingered on Jonete', she was breath-taking! The gown she wore was a deep rich blue that made her skin look like cream. Her blue eyes sparkled and her strawberry blonde hair was vibrant against the blue. All of them wore their hair long and loose, just like he liked it. Gods, he was a lucky man.
Lucian sat first, then Jonete', Kolenee, Shalene and then Sandor at the end in case he needed to move to protect his own. As the ritual began, his mind wandered as it normally does when it hit him that he knew that glow! He leaned forward and looked questioningly at Kolenee, she blushed and nodded. Sandor shook his head and gave a silent chuckle, two of four. At least he was good for something! He reached across and held Kolenee's hand, Shalene wrapped her small hands around his forearm and leaned over and kissed Kolenee's cheek. Lucian gave Sandor a thumbs up and mouthed," Stranger," Sandor tried to give him a mean look but it didn't work. As they stood for the last part of the ceremony, Sandor saw, from the corner of his eye, Lucian and Jonete' holding hands. He thought, "well, now, isn't that interesting." He had to think about this, there would be time later.
The feast was extraordinary, as anyone would have expected. Norlec was always near Sansa, Jaxell and Hecnok were behind Sandor. He was careful not to drink too much, and he didn't dance. He enjoyed watching Shalene, Sansa, Kolenee, and Ellaria being fought over by the young and old men alike. He thought of the many years he had been on the other side of this, standing in the shadows on duty, hating everything and everyone. Miserable, hateful and hated, living to kill and get drunk. He served no other purpose. Now, seven months later, he was free of the Lannisters, wealthy beyond what even he could imagine, the Lord of one of the most prosperous holdings in The Seven Kingdoms, he had three beautiful women, one of which was his reason to live, his Desert Flower, his Princess. He has a son who he loved and was so proud of, had his own uniit of Unsullied, his own fishing and merchant fleets, the best friends anyone could want, he had the means to help the rightful Queen re-take her Throne and to help Sansa rebuild her home and he had two children on the way, albeit, one would have Jaxell as his father, Sandor could at least watch him grow and provide for him or her. He was happy beyond measure.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he saw someone he didn't recognize dancing with Shalene. He thought that it was Tomaerys at first by his body shape but as they turned, it wasn't him. They danced closer and the man looked directly at Sandor and Sandor saw the color of the man's eyes change from deep brown to amythest surrounded by silver then back to brown. He sat up and felt Jaxell lean down to his ear and whisper," This One would ask his Master to think before he draws attention. This One will say that there are mysteries in this world that some do not believe in. This One would ask if his Master knows of such things that are unknown and faceless?" He stood up again as Sandor relaxed and said," Yes, Jaxell, I have to say it is so."
Joffery was getting good and drunk. He tried to make sure that none were missed in his insults and japes, when he saw that those he was insulting, listened but looked rather bored and tired, he started towards Sansa, Norlec immediately placed himself between Joffery and Sansa, the King's Guard moved to encircle him but just as quickly, nine more Unsullied moved into combat pose. Sandor went to Sansa and took her to where Bronn was at and he turned to Lord Tywin, "My Lord, surely this isn't how a Royal Wedding should end, Lady Sansa is a Lannister now, she will bear the next heir to the North for Lord Tyrion."
Lord Tywin looked at Sandor, he was clearly angry as Sandor could see his jaw clenched. He looked at Joffery and said," Your Grace, this is your night, you have a beautiful new bride and soon we will have a bedding. Wouldn't you agree that blood shed at your Royal Wedding may bring bad luck on the union."
Joffery was clearly trying to figure out if he wanted to see blood or continue with the celebration when Queen Margaery walked to him and leaned into his arm, rubbing her breast on it and whispered in his ear. This seemed to make up his mind for him and he yelled," Come now, it was a jest! More wine!" and went back to the Dias. Sandor spoke to the Unsullied in High Valaryian and they moved back to their places. Servers moved to the tables to replenish the wine and Sandor noted a male server, tall and graceful, he thought it looked like the same man Shalene had danced with but as he approached the Dias, his face was different and his eyes were green. He felt Shalene's hand on his thigh and he turned to her just as he was about to lean down to kiss her neck he heard someone being sick and turned to see Joffery vomit into Margaery's lap. Lord Tywin called the King's Guard to help Joffery to his room and sent Queen Margaery with him. He apologized to everyone, saying that The King had obviously celebrated a bit much. Cercei soon left and not soon after, Lord Tywin followed. Sandor looked up to see Prince Oberyn looking at him and took this as a cue that it was time to go. Since they would be leaving in a few hours, on the next tide, they headed to the ship.