Chapter 21. THE MARTELLS
The people of Dorne have always been independent and of all the seven Kingdoms the only one Aegon Targaryen could not conquer. It joined the Seven Kingdoms through peaceful marriage alliance nearly two centuries later, only one century before Robert's Rebellion. As a result of joining through marriage and not conquest, Dorne was allowed to keep many of its local customs and laws, such as equal inheritance laws for male and female heirs. Due to these different ethnic, legal, and political factors, the Dornishmen are very independently minded, with a stronger sense of national identity than many of the other Seven Kingdoms.
Dorne is ruled from the castle of Sunspear by House Martell. Bastards born in Dorne are given the surname Sand. Things from Dorne are known as "Dornish," while the people of Dorne are properly known as the Dornishmen, though its people are sometimes simply referred to as the Dornish.
During the rebellion Gregor Clegane raped and murdered Elia Martell. Now he is brought before the Princes of Dorne for judgment. In the grand throne room of Sunspear two of Tara's captains bring Gregor Clegane before Prince Doran Martell. "Great Prince of Dorne I am Sir William Sor, a knight fighting for Tara Clegane who is sworn to House Stark. The King in the North bares no ill will to House Martell and as such we deliver into your hands for judgment Gregor Clegane. The Mountain that rides…"
"And why would the Amazon surrender her brother to us?"
"The Amazon Tara Clegane has no love for her brother…"
Prince Oberyne walks up to the chained Mountain and removes the muzzle, "Tywin Lannister's mad dog…" He draws a dagger and places it at his throat. "I should kill you!"
"Oberyne!" Doran warns, "Step back!" He obeys. "And what does the King in the North want in return for this prize?"
"Peace! Your word that you will not come to the aid of the Lannisters who gave this dog command to kill your beloved sister…"
Doran sighs, "The Starks participated in Robert's rebellion."
"True! But they did not stain their hands with the blood of innocents…"
"The gift is accepted. Tell the King in the North that I have no interest in the feud between houses Lannister and Stark…In the meantime accept my hospitality…" The next day court was held. "Gregor Clegane! You are charged with the rape and murder of my sister Elia Targaryen nee' Martell and the murder of her children…I have the written testimony of your own sister Tara Clegane. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Fuck you and all the shits of Dorne…" He replies in defiance, "I demand a trial by combat!"
A wave of whispers and gasps echo through the throne room. "Let him have his trial by combat my lord brother…I will face him!" Prince Oberyne declares. Doran signals Oberyne to approach the throne and they argue back and forth in whispered voices. Doran sighs, "So be it…Your trial by combat is for the rape and murder of Elia Targaryen…Therefore if you win you will still stand trial for the murder of my niece and nephew."
"And I will ask for a trial by combat on that as well!"
"To the arena!"
The people of Dorne are descendant from people of Essos so the Dornish have an arena for trials by combat or to settle disputes. Gregor Clegane is brought to the arena unchained and given a sword. When Prince Oberyn enters the gathered spectators clap and chant his name. "Begin!'
"The Mountain that rides has come to die!"
Oberyn was armed with a long spear to keep Gregor at a distance, both men are topless. Oberyn thrusts forward, "The gods have delivered you into our hands monster…Betrayed by your own family…"
"Shut up and fight!" Gregor roars swinging his sword. Oberyen side steps blocks an attack and bashes Gregor in the head with staff of his spear breaking Gregor nose and several teeth. Gregor spits and smiles.
"A man who laughs at death…before you go tell us who gave the order to rape and murder my sister and kill her children?"
"FUCK YOU!"
He swings, but Oberyn rolls under the sword and swipes his right leg with his spear cutting the Mountain. Gregor swings his sword from side to side. They clash and Gregor spins around. Then he leans in close and punches Oberyn in the face. As Oberyn spins away he swings his spear catching Gregor in the face. "For every wound you give me I will give you two Mountain…You will die slowly and painfully until you confess your crimes…"
"SHUT UP!"
Gregor charges him and after five moves he breaks Oberyn's spear. Oberyn goes to the ground as Gregor charges again and clips his feet. He hits the ground face first. As Oberyn leaps away he is thrown another spear by his squire. "Perhaps you should get a new nickname…Mountains aren't meant to move. NO?"
Everyone laughs as Gregor slowly stands up. He moves his head from side to side popping the bones in his neck. "Let's go little man!"
They dance around each other then Gregor knocks the spear from his hand. As Gregor thrusts forward, Oberyn spins around him sliding on his knees and scoops up his spear. At the last minute he raises his spear over his head backwards and impales Gregor. Oberyn stands and sidekicks Gregor in the throat. He falls backwards and hits the ground. "Confess Mountain and have some peace before you face the gods."
Gregor grabs his foot and pulls him to the ground then he grabs his neck and they roll over. Before Gregor can place his thumbs in Oberyn's eyes Nymeria Oberyn's eldest bastard Daughter uncoils her whip and wraps it around Gregor's neck. She pulls as her sister Tyene throws a dagger into his back. Gregor stands up and turns around. He grabs the whip and pulls Nymeria toward him. She stumbles forward into a roll pulling out a dagger of her own and stabs Gregor in the balls.
He roars in pain falling to his knees as Oberyn coughs standing up. Elia breathes a sigh of relief as Prince Doran sits back down. Oberyn picks up his spear and looks at his brother who nods. Then he beheads the Mountain that rides.
Oberyn breathes heavy looking at his brother as he holds Gregor's severed head, "Send it to Tywin Lannister…Tell him he is next…"