The festivities began. Despite the heavy feeling of dread tugging on her chest she smiled when she saw everything come together. In front of Thalina's house a wagon was parked without a horse. Later on in the evening a band was to play standing on the wagon since there were no small stage of any sort in the village. Tables and anything with a flat surface was pulled out of houses, including the table she regularly used in her own place. They were set up in various corners of the village and were topped with foods and desserts. The barrels of beer was set up not too far from the wagon near some of Thalina's neighbors across the dirt lane.
Naturally Sandor was already there with a mug in hand even though it was not too much past noon. Some men were standing behind him staring in awe at how fast he was drinking. Myrna felt herself feeling some second-hand embarrassment and decided to go over there to speak with him.
She gave him a jab in his side. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve before giving her his attention. "This is some damn good beer…" he waved his empty cup.
"Then maybe you should save some for the rest of us," she hinted. Two men were waiting for their turn and she gave them an awkward smile as she tugged Sandor's arm and pulled him away from the barrels.
He was disappointed. "There's bloody barrels of good alcohol here and I only get a taste!" he yelled at her once they were far enough away.
"Before you get drunk we need to give Ryler our blessings like everyone else who lives here," she informed Sandor and they looked at the short line that was forming in front of Thalina's house. Ryler sat on a chair in front of the door as Thalina sat in another chair farther off to the side, smiling at her son. Her long white hair was braided and pinned up. She also wore an outfit Myrna had never seen before. It was a sky blue corset with brown trimming over a puffy white short-sleeved shirt with a matching sky blue skirt that went down to her knees.
That morning Thalina prepped Myrna as well. Even though she still wore the same green dress she had received a few days prior, her hair was braided and pinned around her head like Thalina's. It felt foreign to Myrna to have her hair that way as she always had her dark curls down and loose. Myrna also felt having her hair up gave more attention to the pendant Sandor had given her for her name day. Almost everyone she ran into that day had a quick peek at her chest to look at the ruby she wore.
Sandor bellowed a mocking at her. "Aren't you a true lady, giving courtesies to a man who just threatened you yesterday…"
"If we intend on living here we have to follow tradition!" she barked back.
"Fuck tradition, fuck-"
Myrna gave him an even harder jab to make him shut up. "Stop," she scolded. "Now behave and follow me. Let's get this bloody over with," she cursed.
Her heart began beating faster once she stepped at the back of the line. To try and calm herself she held her hands and rested them against her stomach and focused on her breathing. Sandor stood next to her, shifting his weight between his feet. Myrna could feel his annoyance and it did not help her anxiety. She felt her anxiety spike every time a person in front of her finished speaking with Ryler and they took a step forward. When it was almost their turn Sandor leaned over and whispered to her.
"So… what exactly am I to say?" he asked in the lowest voice possible so that the people who had lined up behind them wouldn't hear.
Myrna rolled her eyes. "Oh, Gods…" she sighed and had to catch her breath when she saw the woman in front of her walk off to the side and Ryler sat before them. "Just follow me," she whispered back harshly and they stumbled awkwardly in front of Ryler.
"Ah. Ina… Sandor… long time no see," Ryler japed. He seemed rather happy today. Thalina's consistent smile grew a little bigger when they approached.
Myrna bowed as much as the scarred skin on her back allowed which wasn't much. A second later from the corner of her eye she saw Sandor give a rigid bow. "I pray The Mother rains blessings upon you and your family," she praised Ryler once she straightened herself. She squeezed her hands together so they would not tremble.
Ryler gave her a small nod. Then he gazed over to Sandor looking for his blessing. Myrna held her breath and looked down at her feet.
"Aye, what she said. You have my bloody blessing. But I'm going to give you something better than a blessing. I'm going to give you advice," Sandor rasped.
Oh no, Myrna felt her stomach drop and she worriedly placed her eyes from her feet to Ryler and his mother.
Ryler turned toward his mother from where he sat, and she returned a blank stare. Her smile had left.
"What are you-" Myrna tried whispering to him but he would not allow her to ask him anything.
"This village needs more steel. I have my own sword stashed in our lodge but what of the other men? I never see them training. This village could never stand if a large enough group of thieves decide to invade. If you don't want your women raped and your food stolen I suggest you listen to my advice. This place is yours now, take care of it…" he spoke as if it were a command.
Myrna bit her lip and eyed Ryler and Thalina. They were in thought, especially Ryler. Thalina seemed almost angry but was startled when Ryler chuckled. Myrna was almost startled herself. "You're right, Clegane. You're right. Men like you would know these things," his tone turned sour at the end but still he seemed genuine in admitting Sandor was correct.
They were about to leave when Ryler put a stop to that. "Ina, wait…"
Myrna and Sandor stopped walking. "What is it?" she asked.
"You will be seated next to me at dinner. It is to be a lovely evening and I want to sit next to the name day girl," he said charmingly.
Thalina pitched in. "That is a lovely idea! Ina, I have a surprise for you later on. Please be sure to be around," her smile returned but she only gazed at Myrna and refused to acknowledge Sandor.
Finally they parted ways, and Myrna followed Sandor as he made his way back to the barrels of beer. "Say what you want but I need a drink after that," he complained.
"Don't worry. As do I," she groaned but then saw the mug still in his hand from before they spoke to Ryler as he went to fill it. "You carried that thing the entire time?" His response was to drink his beer down in a matter of seconds. When he finished he poured another cup, and Myrna crossed her arms and let out an annoyed sigh. Then unexpectedly he held it out for her. "Hm. So you can be a gentleman after all," she teased as she grabbed it and took a sip.
Sandor scoffed at her. "I wouldn't dare call myself that. But when have I ever mistreated you?" he asked harshly.
"You yell a lot," she looked down at the mug and then back at him as they walked off towards the middle of the dirt lane where people were slowly gathering. "There's a lot of anger in you…"
"There's a lot of ladies who wished their man would only yell at them. Yelling is nothing," he defended himself.
Myrna was taken aback and wondered if he was implying something. "Their man?"
He figured out where she was going with her question and once again tried to defend himself. "I meant… no, I meant…" he struggled to say something. Then he swiped back the mug and swallowed down what she did not finished. He drank too fast and then began to cough.
"Are you alright!?" she grew concerned and went to touch him but he waved her off and managed to stop coughing but his face was tomato red by the end of it. His hair was also messed up and pieces fell over his face. He did not bother to fix it.
He examined what was going on around them as if to find an excuse not to look her in the face. "Bloody hell. When is the buggering band starting?" he changed the subject.
Myrna found herself longing for more beer. "Let me borrow this again," she took back the mug they were apparently sharing now and walked back to the barrels. After using the metal barrel spout to fill her mug she turned and saw a familiar freckled face that was judging her the previous day.
"Ah, Katherine…" Myrna held tightly to her mug.
Katherine was wearing the same salmon dress today. Coming from a village like this Myrna assumed she probably did not own that many dresses. Katherine seemed to lose focus on what she was going to say when she saw the ruby around Myrna's neck. "Ina... Where did you get that?" she asked rather crudely.
"It was a name day present," she replied.
"From who? Ryler? Did he give that to you when you two went walking outside yesterday?" her eyes grew envious.
Myrna shook her head almost violently. "No! From… my friend," she saw Sandor standing not too close to a group of men who had gathered near the empty wagon. Myrna recognized them as some of the men he had went to Fairmarket with but he did not seem too keen on holding a real conversation with them.
Katherine followed Myrna's eyes and understood. "Ah. So how long have you two been together?" she switched from sour to sweet in an instant.
"I said he's my friend," Myrna corrected her. "And I'd say only a couple moons we have been speaking but we've been acquainted just a little longer…" she explained and took a sip from her mug. For some reason she felt odd talking about him like that.
"Ina, you are so silly. I do not understand why you would come back to this dreadfully boring place. If it were up to me I would take the first wagon ride out to the city. Maybe even Kings Landing!" she boasted but put her hand over her mouth. "Oh, I should not say that so loud. My mother would throw a fit if she heard me speak in that way…" she frowned.
"We all have dreams," Myrna smiled at her.
Katherine cheered up slightly but still had a hint of melancholy in her voice. "But not all of us can chase them," she noted. "I'm doomed to be here forever. Ryler's sweetheart of a mother told me. I know. We are being announced to be engaged tonight. Someone has to bring him sons," she peeked over her shoulder to stare at them still receiving blessings from the villagers in front of their home.
Myrna tensed up. Then took another swig from the mug. He did not tell Katherine? Does Thalina even know he plans on announcing he is marrying me instead of Katherine?
When Katherine turned back around she furrowed her eyebrows. "Ina? You look like you have seen a spook or something!"
A spook… Myrna's mind switched from one troublesome topic to the other. The image of seeing someone standing inside her home and not being able to find them after gave her chills. Then Myrna realized she had an opportunity here.
"Katherine… this might be a hard thing to discuss but I need to talk to someone about it. And not Thalina or Ryler. It has to do with Tysa…" Myrna eased into the discussion.
"Oh Gods!" Katherine nearly shouted but then covered her mouth again. Myrna winced. "Sorry… but, yes, what I meant to say is please do not talk about Tysa around them. They miss her dearly. Now why is this being brought up?" she spoke softer.
Myrna tried to stop herself from chuckling. "You will probably think I am mad…"
"What is it?" Katherine insisted.
"Well… I think I saw her. Inside my home," Myrna said as seriously as she could. Katherine grew stern herself.
Katherine brushed her hands down her skirt. "Well, she did not exactly die inside your place…" she managed to say.
"I know. Thalina mentioned she died from fever inside her childhood home where she and Ryler still live now. I just really needed to tell someone what I saw. I'm sorry," Myrna apologized.
"Are you sure you did not accidently peer into a looking glass or something?" Katherine said out of the blue.
Myrna was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, she could have been your twin. Both of you had that dark curly hair and big brown eyes-"
A loud cheer broke their conversation. They witnessed a small band made up of two fiddlers, a flutist and a drummer weaving through groups of sitting families and friends from the village and some people who have visited from nearby villages or Fairmarket. Myrna had not realized that such a crowd had suddenly come together.
"Almost as big as the funeral," Myrna commented.
Katherine seemed a little more joyous seeing all the people. "If the band has arrived that must mean others are probably just arriving as well. I must go now, Ina. The celebrations are officially about to start. Hopefully I shall see you again tonight sometime!" she took Myrna's hands and gave them a gentle squeeze but before she trotted off she wished Myrna a happy name day.
After spotting Sandor, who was now relocated off in the very corner of the crowd sitting on a stump, Myrna made her way towards him. Along the way she nearly tripped and lost her mug. Next to her a small group chuckled at her. Lowering her head she picked up speed and sat next to Sandor but on the ground since the stump was completely taken up by him. From the angle she sat she could not see his burn. He noticed what had just happened to her and wanted to let her know.
Sandor had a deep laugh. "Perhaps you ought to stop drinking for the day?"
"Shut up," Myrna now felt herself begin to blush. She was feeling a little dizzy but thought nothing of it. "What's our plan? Ryler now wants me to sit next to him during dinner."
"You should have told him no. You pretty much agreed now that you're going to marry that cunt," he said with a sour tone.
Myrna spat back at him. "That's not true!"
"I told you. I'm not staying if you're marrying him…" he stared off into the crowd.
Two fiddles playing the same melody came from the wagon. The band was beginning to play now that the sun was close to setting. More cheers came from the men, women and children sitting around them. Couples hugged and laughed, children chased each other as they tried to avoid running into others who were sitting. The scene was heartwarming but not filling. Once the flutist and drummer joined in with the fiddlers some couples stood up to dance. Myrna could not stop watching them but she could not join them. Some force separated her from them. Not just these people in particular. The people in King's Landing, the Brotherhood, Brenda, the Stark girls…
"What do you think the girls are doing right now?" she asked out of the blue.
"The wolf girls? Your brother is probably still on the road to Winterfell with them and the Dornish whore," he guessed.
Getting tired of holding their mug she placed it down in front of her. "You really think my brother kept her around after what she did to us?"
"We don't even know if he knows what happened to us. And who bloody cares. We should've left them as soon as we had the chance if you ask me," he leaned over to grab the mug she had placed down and drank what was left.
A young lady screamed from excitement as her man dipped her while they danced. Some older folk yelled at them but not in a serious matter. More people were having their share of the beer and the crowd was growing slightly rowdy. Some poorly danced along with the tune as if they were hearing a completely different song. Then on the outside of the crowd Thalina was making her way towards them. Her knees appeared sore and she took her time. When she was a little closer Myrna smiled and greeted Thalina. Sandor remained silent and pretended not to notice her as he continued to people watch.
"Ina, I could not hide it any longer. Your name day present will be your dinner: a fish pie in the shape of the Tully fish! Since you were born from Riverrun I figured you would love that," she exclaimed.
Myrna felt a hole begin to form in her chest but she knew she had to smile and pretend to be Ina Rivers, the bastard girl from Riverrun. "That's lovely! I look forward to it!" she smiled but it almost hurt to grin like that. Sandor peered over at her slightly. It felt like he knew how she really felt.
"So glad to hear that. So very glad," Thalina chuckled. "The cook should be done with the feast soon. In about an hour we will be setting up the main course, and of course your special treat. Have fun," she said motherly and wandered back off towards her house. Today was her son's big day and would hardly leave his side for more than a moment.
Once Thalina was far away enough Myrna let out her true feelings as she punched the ground. "This is so stupid! Why did I ever make up this stupid false identity!?"
"I don't know. Why did you?" Sandor asked seemingly curious.
"The Lannister's were always on the hunt for me so I wanted to be someone different for once. I never really knew why they wanted me up until I got caught and dragged to King's Landing. Found out Gregor's happiness was more important than my own."
He joined in. "Gregor's happiness is always more important than your own. Than anyone else. As long as the Lannister's have use for him," he rasped. It was an angry rasp. Then he blinked a couple times. He faced her sternly. "Tell them. You need to tell them everything."
"Wait, why?" she was startled by his sudden aggressiveness.
"You're engaged to my brother. Ryler can't marry you. You're not Ina Rivers, dammit. Stop it with this fucking lying!" he explained.
She sucked in air. "But I don't plan on marrying Gregor! Unless you want me to now!? Should I just go back to King's Landing and jump on his lap!?"
"Stupid idiot. Of course not! But it'll scare Ryler enough so he won't marry you."
Myrna retorted, "Or it will scare them so much we get kicked out anyway!"
They both stopped yelling seeing there was no point in it. She could understand where Sandor was coming from. Myrna had thought about telling everyone in the village the truth about herself many times, even during her previous stay. It was hard to imaging them letting her stay there knowing the infamous Mountain was after her.
A drunken old man was walking a winding way past them. "Bloody drunk…" Sandor commented.
"There sure is a lot of beer to go around," Myrna shrugged.
As Myrna continued to watch people dance Sandor blocked her view for a second as he walked past her and towards the line at the barrels with their mug in hand. Not paying too much mind to him she went back to observing the celebration. She noticed Katherine dancing with another man far away. They were right in front of the wagon and Katherine grinned with all teeth showing as her partner swung her around in a circle by grabbing her slim waist. The attention she was receiving must have felt pleasant for her. Now it made sense to Myrna why Katherine wanted Ryler. She would be the next Thalina, and everyone loved Thalina.
Myrna played with her pendant as her eyes swept over to Thalina's house. Ryler remained sitting there but no one bothered him. As if he knew someone was looking at him he turned his head and their eyes met for a second before Myrna tore her gaze off him embarrassingly. Why did I look over there?
When she looked away a mug was in front of her face wrapped in a big hand. Sandor has returned, but the drink was for her. "Oh. I don't want anymore. I'm starting to feel a little funny…"
"No, drink. This is our new plan," he insisted.
"New plan? What, for me to be the new village drunk?" she laughed. When he did not laugh in return her smile turned into a frown. "You're fucking joking, right?"
He jerked the cup towards her again until she grabbed it. "This at the very least will excuse us to go back into our lodge. Can't make a proper marriage announcement if both people aren't there," he explained.
"Ryler could still announce it without me there!" she argued. Sandor did not argue back but just stood there. He was waiting. Frowning harder, she chugged down the beer as quick as she could. Then he took the mug back and went for another refill. This happened two more times before Myrna began to feel fuzzy. When she tried to stand up she just fell right back on her bottom. "Oh… not good…" she stammered.
Sandor crouched down but she could hardly make him out. "So?" he asked.
Myrna sluggishly shook her head. The noise around her grew too much to bear. Her stomach felt like it was turning. Wanting to get away from all the people she turned around and began crawling between the two lodges they were sitting in front of. It wasn't long after that she stopped crawling to empty her stomach. With every heave came a small cry. Sandor was not too far away from her and put his hand between her shoulder blades. With her hair braided and tied up there was no need to pull it back. After Sandor asked if she was done emptying her stomach Myrna said she was not sure. There was a constant rumbling in her tummy. Her skinny legs shook. After the past couple dry heaves Myrna was sure she was no longer at risk at making a mess at the very least.
"This… This is the worst…" she heaved once more, and still nothing came out.
Sandor boomed with laughter from behind her. "You really can't handle your liquor, can you?"
"This was your stupid idea…" she blamed. Then heaved yet again.
Another familiar voice was behind her. It was Thalina. "Is she alright!?" she exclaimed.
"I doubt she can eat anything tonight. Save her fish pie or whatever you made her for tomorrow," she heard Sandor respond.
Thalina made a humming noise. "Let her rest once she is done. We do not want her getting sicker," she sounded disappointed.
"Will do, ma'am," Sandor quickly responded. After a minute passed Myrna let herself laugh. "What's that for?" he asked.
Myrna snorted. "You called Thalina… ma'am… I never heard you call anyone that!"
"Alright. I think you need to go to bed," he picked her up like a baby and Myrna felt the world quickly spin around her. The queasy feeling forced her eyes closed.
"Ungh…" she moaned. With every step he took Myrna felt her stomach drop, and drop again. Soon Sandor's quiet footsteps turned into ones pounding against creaky wood. After some more movement she was lowered onto some furs. Their furs. When she opened her eyes there was not much difference from when she had them shut. Their place grew dark. In the distance the sounds of celebration were muted by their wooden walls. They had left before Ryler's announcement. Myrna wondered if their absence would make any difference. Being away from everything eased her angst if anything.
At that moment Sandor was just a big shadow in the room. Since the sun was setting very little light was pouring in. With the table and chair taken for the guests outside he sat along the wall between the bed and fireplace. Myrna longed for talk between them.
"Should… I still tell them?" she slowly asked.
"What you're doing to them isn't right," he answered from where he sat below her.
Her stomach was still upsetting her but she took long, deep breaths to try and ignore it. "If they know about your brother…"
"I don't want to talk about my brother," he snapped back.
Myrna did not listen. "You know… you know what would really piss Gregor off?" she rambled.
Even though she could not see Sandor through the darkness the short silence relayed a feeling of irritation. "What?" he responded.
"He's… He's been after me for so long… for so damn long…" Myrna tried to follow her loose thoughts and gather them together. "He'd hate it if anyone else had me. Like if Ryler… Like if Ryler did marry me…"
Sandor took over. "Gregor would kill him. End of story. Now get some sleep," he ordered.
"But what if I was yours?" Myrna blurted. "That would… wouldn't that be better… than killing him? You would have what he always wanted, right? Maybe… Maybe we could…" she tried to mentally grab her thoughts but they escaped her. There was another moment of silence but this time there was no negative energy there. The silence dragged on for so long Myrna could not stand it. "Sandor? Are… are you there?" she continued her drunken ramble. A noise of shoes scraping across the wooden floor boards came from where he was sitting and his presence was felt at the end of the bed. He was close enough now that she could see a slight glimmer from his eyes, more so from his good eye. Calloused fingers combed through her hair rubbing over her scalp.
"Are you telling more silly lies?" he asked.
Myrna stared hard at where his face should be, trying to see through the blackness that covered it. She wondered if he felt more comfortable knowing his face was concealed. "I know I had a lot to drink, but… but I am being honest right now…" she groggily responded as she raised her hand to try and touch his cheek. When she found his face and ran her fingers over his skin they picked up tears. That alarmed her. Why is he crying?
His fingers rubbed against her scalp, over the roots of her hair. "This time… Gregor won't get what he wants," he continued. "Because… I'm taking it." Swiftly his hand moved to the back of her head, holding it, and her arm looped around his neck as he went to press his lips hard against hers. Their lips glided together so smoothly and was contrasted by the coarseness of his beard against the skin around her lips. With her other arm she went to touch his chest as he gave her a second kiss that was just as hard as the first. Then she felt a drop hit her face. It rolled off her cheek as if it was hers. Before she could open her mouth to say anything he took his hand from the back of her head and used his thumb to brush her lips. "Don't say anything," he threatened.
Slightly confused, she nodded. Then her worries were immediately swept away with one more kiss as he gripped her jaw. This time it was soft and was held for a long time. It was the most gentle he had ever been with her. Puffs of warm air came from his nose and onto her face. There were no more tears being fallen from his eyes.
He pulled away. Myrna was about to say something when she reminded herself of what he just said and kept her mouth closed. She decided tomorrow she would talk with him more. Tomorrow was also the day they would find out how the celebration turned out. Now she definitely could not marry another man. Silently she watched the outline of Sandor go back to where he was sitting. Myrna smiled and held onto this feeling of peace as much as she could.