Beauty and the Hound - Sandor Clegane

13 - Lady Boutayre

One night, a dark scarred knight appeared and offered me his hand, his heart and his soul.
-Unknown

***

"You may now cloak the bride and bring her under your protection."

Meela squeezed her eyes tight, swallowing her sobs and staying still. She was struggling. It was starting. The ceremony was starting and her heart trembled with fear. A heavy material had been hung around her shoulders and she knew the ceremony had begun.

The Sept of Baelor wasn't filled like always. Victor's wish for a quiet marriage did go as planned. There were very few people who witnessed the marriage of Meela Stark and Victor Boutayre. Jeoffrey was standing in front of them, his Queen mother next to him keeping a sorrowful expression. Sansa was at the corner, too far away for her to see. Baelish was right next to Sansa and although Meela couldn't see him, she knew he was glad this was happening. He was glad Meela was leaving King's Landing. He could do whatever he wanted with her and Meela couldn't do anything about it. She couldn't protect her sister now.

'My lords, my ladies, we stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever.'

The septon's voice although was soft, could be heard until the very end of the hall. It was quiet and peaceful. But she was one step closer to losing her freedom.She hoped someone would rescue her. Gods. A man. A woman. Someone. Sandor.

But none came. Not even Sandor. He wasn't even in the darn Sept. He hadn't met her since their romantic encounter that morning.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the septon held both their hands and tied a ribbon in a knot around their joined hands. While tying the ribbon the septon says, "Let it be known that Victor of House Boutayre and Meela of House Stark are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder."

"In the sight of the Seven, I hereby seal these two souls, binding them as one for eternity,' he proclaims before unravelling the ribbon.

A tear slipped down her cheek and the septon noticed it. Not wanting him to create a ruckus, she smiled at him, a gesture he too repeated. Victor let out his arm and she hesitantly held it.

It was all over. Nobody could save her now. She was married to this man. Married for eternal life. There wouldn't be another Winterfell. Another Ned Stark. Another Sandor.

   She was bound to this man, Victor Boutayre. And for the first time, she feared her safety. She was going away somewhere she has never even dreamt of. Nobody was going to be with her.

She kept quiet the entire afternoon, showing a sweet, fake smile to anyone whom greeted the newlyweds. Nobody noticed her dead eyes. Nobody cared about the poor soul writhing in agony. Nobody saved her.

They were seated next to the King, and everyone was too preoccupied with the fine eatables that was served. Although Meela's stomach was rumbling with hunger, her food was left untouched. She hadn't eaten anything since last night. She was excused early during dinner and spent the whole night making love with a lover who literally sold her to Victor.

Although the food was simply mouth watering, she couldn't enjoy the food. She was forcing the solid food down her throat. She had no appetite at all even when she knew she was hungry.

'So when is the consummation Lord Victor? Since you're now married to the Heart Stirrer, the jewel every man dreamt of?' Jeoffrey's voice was the last thing she wanted to hear right now. She was gripping her wine chalice, pressing her lips together.