The Viper and The Wolf

Chapter 8

Sansa had to wait for Oberyn to fall asleep so she could cry. And that's what she'd done. After the trial was over she stormed out of the throne room and back to their chambers without a word. She had evaded Oberyn the rest of the day, not daring to look him in the face or listen to him speak. Once night fell, she had removed herself from their shared bed to sit on the windowsill to cry as quietly as she could. She had looked over to her sleeping husband, possibly for the last time. She had looked away, not wanting to think about what could happen to him.

The next morning Sansa had woken up earlier than her husband and left her chambers. She sat outside as the morning passed and early afternoon set in, sitting under the Martell canopy, listening to the oceans hit the rocks. Food once again sat before her but she refused to eat. She couldn't bear the thought of food sitting in her stomach.

"There you are, Sansa," Ellaria approached in front of her before sitting to her right. "Oberyn and I have been looking for you everywhere." Sansa didn't answer, lifting her chin in somewhat defiance. Ellaria sighed softly, "You're worried about the combat."

"How . . . can I not be?" Sansa whispered, white knuckling the arms of the chair she was sitting in. "The Mountain that Rides . . ." she trailed off to shake her head.

"And you're married to the Red Viper," Ellaria reached for her hand. Sansa looked at her sharply, again looking exhausted with red and black rimmed eyes.

"You haven't seen him," she said angrily. "Ellaria, you haven't seen him-"

"But you have seen your husband, remember?" Ellaria continued to smile, angering her even more. "You've seen your husband fight. He is a far more superior warrior than this mountain man. He merely uses brute strength."

"Oberyn never cut a horse clean in two," Sansa fumed angrily. "Ser Loras would have been next if his brother hadn't stopped him." She shook her head. "Dozens of men were sent to catch him, and all were slaughtered."

"You doubt my fighting skills?" Sansa looked to see Oberyn emerging from around the corner. He sat down to her left with a soft smile on his face.

"I don't," Sansa's voice began weak and shaky. "I don't-I don't doubt-" she looked down. "I don't want to risk your death."

"I'm not going to die, Sansa," Oberyn shook his head. He was taken aback to see anger form on Sansa's face and she shook her head.

"Your optimism and courage astounds me." She said before she found her feet.

"Sansa-" Oberyn reached out but she was already too far for him to grab.

She hurried away, not baring to hear anymore encouraging hopeful words. Sansa soon found herself on the terrace where she used to pray and she stared at the very same spot. She walked to stand there instead of getting to her knees. There was no use in praying. She knew that now. She turned and faced the cliff, viewing the ocean. Placing her hands on the rock she watched the ride down below pull in and out.

Sansa sighed as she heard footsteps approaching, knowing full well who it was. "Sansa," that voice sent a shock wave through her body and she shuddered. "Speak to me."

She was hesitant to speak, grasping her hands together as she closed her eyes. "You planned this," she said. "This was the secret you've kept from me. You didn't want to tell me about it." She took a deep breath. "You should have told me."

"Sansa-"

"You should have told me, Oberyn," Sansa snapped at him. She still didn't turn to face him. "You should have shared your plans with me and not keep me in the dark about this sudden news to-" she stopped and she looked down.