Affairs of the Heart (A Modern Sandor Clegane Story)

One

                                                                                 Six Months Earlier

"Melody? Are you listening to me?" Melody glanced up from her book and smirked. "Do I ever, Stannis?" Her comments made Renly giggle and Stannis rolled his eyes. "Will the two of you ever grow up?" Melody glanced at Renly and laughed. "Probably not." Of the four Baratheon siblings, Melody was closest with Renly.

"Melody June, I swear you're going to send me to an early grave." Melody arched a brow at the use of her middle name. "What happened to you, Stannis? You used to be so much fun!" She pouted, but Stannis wasn't amused. "Stannis was fun? Dear sister, I think you might be delusional." Renly placed a hand on Melody's forehead. She slapped it away playfully.

"I really think you should listen, Miss Melody. Your brother's announcement has more to do with you than anyone else." Melody glanced at Stannis' advisor and campaign manager, Davos. The older man looked irritated at the whole situation, but Melody would have to ask about that later. "Alright, alright. Geez, ever since you started this campaign for governor, you've been such a stick in the mud," Melody grumbled playfully.

Stannis started talking again, but Melody couldn't help but tune out. She loved Stannis, but the man could drone on and on, especially when it came to the race for governor. So, she let her mind wander. More and more often, Melody found herself daydreaming about a life away from the pressures of being a Baratheon.

Being in the Baratheon family wasn't an easy feat. Every member of the family was expected to act a certain way, especially Melody, being the only female in the family besides Stannis' wife and young daughter. And now that Stannis was running for office, it was even more crucial. Melody had to look and act like the perfect little lady so she wouldn't tarnish Stannis' name. Thus, leading her to dream of a world far away from it.

It wasn't until Renly shouted, "WHAT?!" that Melody jerked back to reality. She was surprised at his outburst. Renly had always been flamboyant, but whenever he jumped up from his seat and shouted, it was serious. "Why would you do that to Melody?" Melody looked between her two brothers in confusion. What had Stannis said? Something about strengthening the family name, probably.

"How could you possibly even consider having Melody marry into that family?!" Renly was still going on and on. Melody's blue eyes widened. There was only one family that could upset Renly so. The Lannisters. Melody sat there in shock. "What do you mean, marry? Stannis, you want me to marry a Lannister?" Stannis stared at her in disbelief while Davos held back a snicker. "You weren't listening again."

"I heard enough to know you think I'm going to marry one of the Lannisters," Melody replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "I do not think. I know," Stannis replied smoothly and Melody snorted out a laugh. "You can't make me, Stannis. I will not marry him. It was bad enough that Robert was engaged to Cersei Lannister and had three bratty kids with her before he died. I won't do it!"

"According to the laws of this country, you do not have a choice. As your eldest surviving brother, I have the right to find a suitable match for you." Melody didn't respond. Her eyes flashed dangerously and Renly took that as his cue to leave. "Come on, Davos. I think my siblings need a few minutes alone." Renly leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of his sister's head before leaving the room as quickly as his legs would carry him, Davos following close behind.

As soon as the doors were closed, Melody turned on Stannis again. "Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me I have to marry one of the Lannisters? You don't even like the Lannisters." Stannis sat in his chair and regarded his sister with an amused expression. Well, as amused as Stannis could look. "We need the Lannisters' support, Melody. If you don't do this, think how it will make our family look."

Melody rolled her eyes. "How could our name look any worse? Robert not only had three children with his fiancée, but he also decided to sleep his way across Westeros. Who know how many bastards he has running around." Stannis' eyes narrowed. "Watch your language. I'm finished with this conversation, Melody. You will do as I asked."

Melody got up and headed for the door. Before she opened it, she turned back to Stannis. "So which Lannister do I have the pleasure of being pimped out to?" she asked, voice laced with bitter sarcasm. "Tywin? Tyrion? Lancel?" She could feel her face getting red with anger. "Jaime. You are to marry Jaime Lannister." 

(A/N: Just the beginnings of the back story. A little look into our main character. As you can see, I'll be bringing some people back from the dead. :D )