Chapter 7. I KNIGHT THEE LADY CLEGANE
Part 1. THE TOURNAMENT
After several weeks at sea Tara's ship finally arrives in King's Landing. They stop to get information and restock the ship. The bay is filled with ships and knights arriving by land and sea for the Tournament. Tara spots a fight that breaks out on the docks between two Knights from different houses. "Excuse me sir…Is the King going to war?"" It is a legitimate question, traveling across slaver's bay Tara heard rumors of two Targaryens still alive trying to build an army.
"No…The King has chosen a new Hand and is holding a tournament to honor him…"
As Tara walks away she summons Dylan a bastard who is being trained by Tolass. "Find the list master I wish to enter this tournament!"
Dylan stairs dumbfounded. "How…how many events do you wish to enter…"
"All three! Enter me under the name Sir Eagen Gent of Meereen…" Gent is her mother's maiden name and is combined with the name of her weapon's master.
As Dylan walks off Tara goes to flee bottom after learning of a inexpensive but very gifted Black Smith. "How may I help you? The name is Tobho Mott."
"I need armor that will keep my features hidden…and let's keep this between us…" She says giving him a bag of coins. Mott takes Tara's measurements then he checks his armory. As Mott searches Tara notices a young black haired boy working on horseshoes. Intrigued by his features she walks up noticing the bull's head helmet. When Tara picks it up he pauses to look at her. "Boy you made this?"
"Yes my lady!"
"This is excellent craftsmanship!"
He stops what he is doing and takes the helmet from her, "Its not for sail!"
She looks at him, "What's your name?"
"Gendry Waters my lady!" he looks her up and down, "By the gods you are tall…Are you from Dorne…"
She smiles, "No…I need a black smith how would you like to work for me…I can pay five hundred pieces of gold a month and another 100 for every job…"
Mott returns with Tara's armor and is furious when Gendry demands his severance wages. "So Gendry where is your mother?"
"Dead!"
"Oh I'm sorry…"
While Tara has her tents set up near the tournament grounds Dylan signs Tara up for the tournament. "My master is Sir Eagen Gent of Meereen…"
"Patents of nobility!" Eagen hands the man a huge bag of coins and stares at him, "We can forget that! Entry into the tournament is fifty gold dragons!" Dylan removes another money purse from his belt and counts out the gold coins. "In which event does your master wish to participate?"
"Bow, sword, and joust!"
"Do you have a sigil?" Dylan hands the man the sigil. "Lists will be posted in the tourney camp tell your master he has one hour to report to each challenge or be disqualified. Next!"
When Tara enters a tavern it gets quiet, "Holy shit!" One man shouts.
"She must be from Dorne…"
Tara has four men with her, "Five ales!" Tara says walking up to the bar ignoring the comments.
"Aren't you a tall drink of water…" A man says walking up to Tara, "You pretty good with those swords?"
"Better than you!" Tara says taking a drink. A wave of gasps cross the tavern.
The man looks at the men with Tara who haven't reached for their swords. "Prove it! I win…And you pay me a visit in my tent tonight…" When he finishes his statement he looks at Tara's men none of them make a move.
Tara smiles and looks at him, "Let me know when a real man comes in…Maybe he can can champion you…"
"Bitch!"
The man says, but before he can walk away Tara grabs his arm, and spins him around, then she punches him in the face breaking his nose. A fight breaks out and everyone in the bar starts brawling. The man's squire grabs a chair and tries to hit Tara but she grabs the chair and kicks him in the balls. Then she bashes the man across the back.
"Y…o…u…bitch!"
The man she hit in the face gets up drawing his sword. Quick as a flash Tara draws her sword and cuts off his hand. As he falls to his knees cradling the stump she sheaths the sword and kicks him in the face. That is when the White cloaks show up to restore order. Tara pays a fine of 200 gold coins for herself and her men. Then she goes to her tent to rest.
The next morning Tara is in her tent with a woman she hired to help wrap her breasts down with long white bandages and wrap the long braid of her hair around her head. Then she has Gendry help her dress in her armor.
"The armor is a little big!"
"Yes but it will hide my curves…"
"What do you think your chances are?" Gendry asks.
"I will win!"
Tara, takes Gendry, Dylan, and ten men with her. She checks the lists and reports for the first rounds of archery. Unlike the other archers Tara wears full armor, not unusual because she is entered in all three events. "Take aim!" The man overseeing and judging the event says. "FIRE!" Tara and two others hit the bull's eye. The rest are off by one line and one knight hits the outer mark of his target.
"Round two!" Since several knights made the bull's eye those farthest from the bull's eye are removed from the competition and replaced by other contestants. "FIRE!" Once again Tara hits the bull's eye. After five rounds in a row the judge calls for a break and has the scribe write the results for the King and the lists.
Tara eats a quick meal of cheese bread and dried deer meat on her way to the sword arena. When she arrives her opponent is kneeling with his practice sword stuck in the ground. "No kill blows! No kicking! No dirt throwing!" The judge says checking Tara's sword to make sure it is a practice blade. "Begin!" He says after leaving the arena.
Tara remains on the defensive as her opponent tries to finish the match quickly. He is reckless and clumsy. Poorly trained, Tara quickly gets bored with the match and disarms him. "I yield!" The man yells when Tara places her blade to his neck. She remains at the arena because it would several more hours before she reports to the jousting event.
Tara's next opponent is a Knight from the Vale. Not to be underestimated. She smiles from behind her helmet, "Finally a real challenge!"
"Sir Robar Royce of Runestone! Faces Sir Eagen Gent of Meereen! Begin!"
They attack at the same time, Tara blocks left, then right and tries to counter, but because her armor is little big to hide the fact that she is a woman Tara is a little slower than usual. To compensate she uses Robar's own speed against him. Robar tries to shoulder Tara, but she is taller than Robar. She stumbles backwards and drops to one knee as he closes in. Using her sword Tara sweeps his legs from under him. When Robar hits his back he rolls to the side as Tara tries to strike his torso and win a few points.
Tara manages a blow, but Robar drop to holds her and strikes her across the head. They both roll away and Tara growls under her helmet. They circle each other and attack. Tara drops to one knee and swings with all her might breaking his knee. Robar raises his hand yielding.
After winning a third match Tara reports to her Jousting match. She rides a grey horse. Her opponent is a Knight from the Riverlands of House Bracken. As the opponents are annouced Tara notices Lord Eddard Stark sitting with his family. The flag is waved and they charge each other. With true aim Tara strikes the River Knight in the chest unhorsing him. According the rules she wins the match and his horse.
Sandor Clegane stands behind the King observing Sir Gent with his red snake and sword sigil. He smiles recognizing his sister even with all the armor. She raises her broken lance to the King as she passes before his box. Next is Gregor Clegane and a Knight from Volantis. Tara watches the match before leaving to return to the archer's event. Gregor wins after two lances. Once again Tara hits a perfect bull's eye in the archery event.
"So how many Knights signed up for all three events?" He asked to Lancel Lannister his squire.
"Um…Eleven my lord! Tomorrow the archery event ends…Sir Gent! Sir Phell! And Sir Baxter of Astapor have perfect runs…Tomorrow they face off in trick shots. All three are signed up for three events…"
Intrigued by the news Robert went to the archery contest to witness the winner. The trick shot event had one target at fifty paces. The quick draw contest decided who shot first, Tara lost on purpose to go last. First was Sir Baxter who shot while on one knee, he hit the bull's eye. Then was Sir Phell's turn and he replicated Sir Baxter's feet. He also dislodged Sir Phell's arrow by shooting up, the arrow arced in its path and hit above Baxter's arrow dislodging it.
Now it was Tara's turn, she dropped to one knee and replicated the feet. Since Baxter's arrow was dislodged and Tara replicated the feet Baxter was disqualified. Now it was Sir Phell's turn. He knocked two arrows and fired striking the two outer rings of the target. Tara took two arrows from her quiver which was held by her squire. Before knocking the arrows she bit the feather off one of the arrows. She aims and shots, her arrows strike the outer rings of the target, but at the top and bottom.
Now the two are blind folded and must shoot until they miss the target. Phell knocks his arrow and hits the bull's eye, blindfolded. The onlookers clap as Tara gets into position. She takes a deep breath and pulls. The arrow flies from her bow and splits Phell's arrow down the middle. Everyone claps.
"Winner of the long bow…I give you Sir Gent!"
Tara manages to avoid removing her helmet and reports to the dueling arena. She wins three matches before reporting for her jousting match. When Tara arrives Sir Gregor is facing off against Sir Hugh of the Vale. Hugh is mortally wounded and dies later. Tara shakes her head in disgust and prepares for her match. She faces off against Sir Barden of the Stormlands and unhorses him in one lance. Tara immediately leaves the jousting field for her next sword duel. That day Tara has five more sword matches and two jousting matches.
The next day is the finals of the sword and jousting tournaments. There are only two matches in the sword and four in the jousting. Tara's first opponent is Sir Phell who she bested in the archery contest. The fight is long and grueling, but eventually Tara forces Phell to yield. She waits while the next two fight. Now it is finally Tara's turn to face off against Sir Asher Forrester who was disinherited by his father for brawling in taverns and sleeping with bar maids and whores.
"Give me another sword!" Tara demands to her squire as Asher is armed with two swords as well.
"Begin!"
Just as the duel begins King Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark show up with Arya tagging along. The crowd cheers as the swords fly fast in an awesome display of swordsmanship. The two combatants struggle back and forth trying to best each other. When they lock swords Tara shoves Asher to the ground, but he rolls backwards and comes up on his feet. They stalk each other like two alpha predators fighting for supremacy. Asher strikes first with his left then his right. Tara counters and with both swords in her eagerness she loses her left sword and backs away.
On instinct Asher rolls forward and knocks Tara's left sword away out of reach. Tara takes the eagle stance and then twirls her sword from side to side. She attacks suddenly and feints a swing only to redirect her sword aiming for his knee. Asher intercepts her sword with his right. Tara blocks the other with her right arm and spins around bashing Asher in the ribs. But he whacks her across the back.
Tara side steps and readjusts her fighting style. She raises her sword and charges again. Then she goes into a slide and knocks Asher's left sword from his hand. She scoops the sword up as she gets to her feet. Now she has two blades again. Asher goes for the other sword and that is when Tara throws the left sword breaking Asher's wrist. He falls to one knee and yields.
Part 2. KNIGHTED
Tara had won two of the three contests now all she had to do is win one more. She was in her tent getting her helmet and armor fixed by Gendry. "My Lord!" Dylan announced, "Lancel Lannister…The King's Squire."
Tara quickly put on her helmet she had the padding mail on so she was safe. "His majesty King Robert Baratheon sends his regards and asks if there is anything you need sir…"
She whispers into Dylan's ear, "My lord asks why?"
He frowns, "The King favors you and hopes you win…There hasn't been a tri-tournament champion since the days of King Aeon Targaryen III."
"My lord thanks the King and will joust to honor him."
Tara arrives just in time to watch her brother Gregor face off against Loras Tyrell. Tara shakes her head disapprovingly as she can immediately tell that the horse Loras is riding is in heat. Her brother's horse is distracted which allows Loras to win the match. Gregor releases a roar in frustration and beheads his horse. Then he attacks Sir Loras, Tara is about to intervene when her other brother Sandor leaps from the King's box to defend Sir Loras. Tara smiles from beneath her helmet as the two face off.
"ENOUGH!" King Robert yells standing up.
Disappointed Tara prepares for her match. She faces off against Sir Valentine of Pentos. Valentine gets the first lance and the second. Tara breaks a lance across his head tying up the match and earning two flags. She hits him on the chest and he strikes her on the chest as well. One last lance, they charge each other and Tara strikes him on the head and he her shoulder. Tara wins the match now she faces Loras Tyrell of High Garden. The Knight of Flowers.
"I think Sir Gent will win!" Robert says leaning over to Cersei.
She grunts, "He should be disqualified for that stunt he pulled!"
The crowd cheers as the two knights take their places. Tara rides a female horse she won in an earlier match, just in case Loras tried that again. They charge each other and break their lances on each other's shoulders. They are given new lances and charge again. Tara strikes Loras across the head making him dizzy. Another good hit like that and she could win. Tara waits as Loras' men attend to him, he shakes his head and his squire runs over to the announcer. The people cheer as Loras withdraws allowing Tara to win the match. Not the finish she wished, but a victory all the same.
"I present to you your majesty Sir Eagen Gent of Meereen! Your Tri-Tournament Champion!"
Every claps as the King stands and Tara takes a knee before Robert Baratheon. "Not since the days of Aeon Targaryen the Third has there been a Tri-tournament champion!" The people clap, "Sir Gent please remove your helm so that we may honor you properly."
Sandor smiles as Tara removes her helmet. When she does a wave of shocked gasps move through those in attendance. Arya jumps from her seat and so does Cersei as Tara releases the pin holding the long thick braid of her hair up.
"What is the meaning of this?" Robert asks with a hint of anger on his voice.
As Eddard Stark joins the King Tara stands, "Forgive me for my deception your majesty. My real name is Tara! Tara Clegane - My father was Jordan Clegane. Six year ago he died. My mother and I were insulted by Gregor Cleagane the eldest of us. I warded at Winterfell for three years and asked Lord Stark to allow my mother to stay with him while I journeyed to Meereen. I fought in the pits and won many victories. A Slave Master of Meereen wanted me to fight for him. When I refused he tried to force me, but I escaped and killed his men. The other slave masters judged him and rewarded me with his wealth…I sold all his assets and traveled across slaver's bay fighting for gold. Eventually I was named champion for life and retired. Then for two more years I worked as a Sell-sword. Eventually my heart longed to be in Westeros again…So I raised an army trained them for another year and have returned…When I arrived I heard of the tournament and entered under a false name to gain the attention of the great houses of Westoros…I wish to swear an oath and become a banner of one of them…"
Cersei tries to whisper into Robert's ear, but he raises his hand silencing her. Then Eddard leans in and whispers to him. He looks at Eddard and smiles before returning his attention to Tara. Robert draws his sword and walks up to Tara. "Take a knee!" She does, "Tara Clegane! You fought with skill, honor, and great courage. Few men can match the prowess you showed today…Now bare witness! I Robert Baratheon-" He taps her on both shoulders and her head, "-First of his name. King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. Do here by Knight thee Lady Tara Clegane. Stand and be recognized Lady Clegane!"
The people cheer as Tara stands up, "SILENCE!" Robert demands.
"My lord if it pleases you I would like to ask Lord Eddard to give me Moat Cailin and allow me to be his banner and serve House Stark…"
Robert looks at Ned, "I would be honored to accept your vow."
The people cheer for a few minutes and stop when Robert raises his hand, "Let us feast!"
Tara hires a woman to do her hair and then she has a dressed bought by another servant woman she hired. They dress her in the tent, when she is done her long black hair is done in the style of the women of King's Landing. She wears an ice blue gown with gloves and a pearl necklace complete with earrings. Her lips are painted red and she wears eye liner as the women of the east paint their eyes. When Tara enters every man at the banquet stops talking to admire her.
Her brother Clegane walks up to her. "Wow!"
"What?"
"I have never seen you in girl clothes."
She punches his arm, "Oh shut up!"
"You look beautiful!"
She blushes, "Really! I feel awkward. Almost naked! I would rather face a thousand Dothraki."
"Well if you weren't my sister I would have a go at you."
"Well played!" A deep baritone voice says.
Tara looks up at her eldest brother, "Gregor! I thought you had gone home after your defeat at the hands of Sir Loras!"
"And I thought you died across the sea in the pits!"
"If the fools you sent to kill me failed what could possibly make you think that?"
They stare each other down, "We could finish what you started at my father's funeral bitch!"
"You mean before Sandor saved your ass!"
Gregor laughs drawing everyone's attention. "Name the time and the place."
"I would kill you here and now! But that would be rude! Besides I have more important things to tend to…"
That is when the King walks across the hall, "May I have this dance?" He signals the musicians and leads Tara away from the tense seen.
"With all due respect your grace shouldn't you dance with the Queen first?"
He looks at Cersei, "She'll get over it! Besides I thought it safer to avoid a blood bath at my banquet. So all that traveling and adventure – you did manage to keep your chastity?"
She smiles, "I am a virgin still your grace…"
He sighs, "Whoever you choose to be a husband will be one lucky man…"
"You are too king your majesty…" After they dance Tara dances with her brother. Then she dances with Sir Asher Forrester who makes an offer of marriage to her. Tara eats and regales the guests with her adventures across the narrow sea. After the food is served Tara is able to sneak away to be alone. She stands on the balcony staring up at the moon and stars. Her ever alert senses pick up footsteps, not a man's so there is no need of going for the dagger in her dress.
"A beautiful night!"
Tara turns and bows to the Queen, "Your majesty! If you are offended by…"
Cersei raises her hand, "Please! If I had a coin for every woman my husband flirted with I could buy my own kingdom and declare war on that fat slob!" Tara tries to hold back the laughter but when Cersei laughs she joins in.
"So what may I do for you your majesty?"
"Straight to the point!"
"I hate haggling!"
"You are a Clegane! Your family is sworn to my House."
Tara stares at Cersei sizing her up. This kind of fight wasn't fought with swords, but with ideas and words, and she was just as proficient. "Your highness. Your Lord Father was there at the funeral and said nothing when my brother insulted my mother and threatened us both. He denied me my birthright. What else was I to do…"
"Petition the King!" Cersei replies quickly, "Or the Queen. I am a strong woman like you. Not physically, but emotionally. Women are often overlooked and we need to look after each other. Especially women of privilege, and power. Let me set things right for you. I will write my father and have him grant you your own holdfast…"
Tara smiles, "I am well acquainted with your father and views of women…Thank you, but no! I am a woman of privilege, power, and strength! And I will use them as I see fit. I owe the Lannisters nothing! Goodnight your grace!"
As Tara walks away Cersei sneers, "Lady Tara!" Tara stops and looks back, "Robert will not always be King! A thing to consider in all your thoughts…" Tara bows and leaves the balcony. Then Cersei summons Sandor Clegane, "What influence do you have with your sister?"
"She is her woman your majesty. Always has been. We have a relationship, but not to the point that I advise her or influence her decisions."
Cersei stares at him, "You are dismissed."
The next day Tara makes her way to the Tower of the Hand of the King. "Lady Tara to see you my Lord." Rodrick Cassel announces.
Tara enters and bows, "That was a very impressive performance in the tournament." Eddard says.
"Thank you my Lord Hand!"
Eddard raises his hand, "We are alone Tara we can drop the titles…Call me Ned."
"Fare enough Lord Ned…" She replied jokingly.
Ned smiles, "I am accepting you as a banner for my own reasons, chief of which your skill in the tourney events…The other reason is my daughter Arya. She likes shooting arrows, riding horses, and playing with swords…So I would like you to ward her and teach her everything you know."
"I would be honored!"
Eddard stamps the papers with his seal and hand them to Tara, "This gives you title to all lands around Moat Cailin and the castle itself…Be warned…The Boltons have been petitioning the King for that castle for years…You will have gained an enemy with them."
Tara smirks, "If the Boltons try anything I will flay them on their own racks!"
"Where do you go from here?"
"Moat Cailin to set everything in order, then to Winterfell to pick up my mother, White Harbor to meet my army and finally home again."
"Good luck!"
"Thank you Lord Stark!"
"Arya get in here!" The door opens and Arya freezes when she sees Tara standing before the desk, "My daughter has been unable to stop talking about you Lady Tara."
"Hello Arya! You may not be able to remember me you were barely walking when I left Winterfell."
"High!" She managed to say staring dumbfounded.
"Arya I am sending you with Lady Tara to learn all she knows…You will be her ward!"
Arya looks at her father, "Really!"
He smiles, "Yes!"
Arya falls into her father's arms, "Thank you."
He kisses Arya on the forehead, "Go pack your things."
"I will watch out for her." Tara says.
"I know!" By noon Tara leaves the capital with a hundred of her own men, dozens of Masons, carpenters, and servants for Moat Cailin. Robert gives her a royal send off.