A Lion Still Has Claws

Part 12

The royal gardens were filled with a curious audience of Westerosi nobles. Each crowded to see the combative trial of Tyrion Lannister. The Imp questioned the fairness of his trial, requesting the need for divine intervention. His family easily chose the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane, as their champion. While the youngest Lannister son yearned to have his elder brother, Jaime refused. Instead, Prince Oberyn Martell offered his service as a warrior.

Rhaenyra was desperate to watch the battle. She willingly followed Ser Jaime to the gardens, appearing proud by his side. Her eyes wandered over the crowd. She heard their excited whispers of gossip and praise over the Mountain's ferocity. Ser Gregor was a terrifying man who stood strong, looming over- all. He appeared suffocated in his dark armor. Rhaenyra prayed for him to lose.

She prayed to her own gods for Oberyn's well being. He stood beside Tyrion, ignoring his anxious state. The Dornish Prince kissed away at his paramour, a gesture that made Rhaenyra smile. She watched him turn quickly to reach for his spear, their eyes met. His face paled at the sight of her. She waved to him, wishing him luck and prayer.

Jaime pulled her attention away. "His armor is light,"

"His armor is light," Jaime whispered to her. He leaned to the right side of his chair, extending his leg. Rhaenyra turned to face the small arena seeing the Dornish Prince speaking with her good brother.

"I don't underestimate the power of the Viper," she whispered.

Jaime sighed, "I am merely worried." He gestured with his false hand to the Prince and his paramour who embraced in a kiss. "Worried for the fate of my brother."

"Understandable." 

Rhaenyra watched in fascination, she focused on Oberyn's swift movements. He moved almost elegantly with his spear in hand. He contrasted the Mountain's brutish motions beautifully.

"Have they told you who I am?" Oberyn questioned loudly, he dodged a hit from Ser Gregor.

His face reddened in anger, he swung his sword once more. "Some dead man!" he screamed as the sword struck the stoned ground. Oberyn struck his spear against the sword, the sound of the clashing weapons echoed throughout the stunned garden.

Prince Oberyn moved behind him, successfully knocking the Mountain to the ground with the butt of his weapon. "I am the brother of Elia Martell." His eyes shifted to Rhaenyra quickly, his face paled once more. Rhaenyra's watched him circle the fallen knight. "Do you know why I have come all the way to this stinking shit-pile of a city?" He paused kicking his opponent down once more. "For you!"

Rhaenyra felt an odd sense of pride as she watched Oberyn fight. She focused on his lament, admiring his yearning for revenge. The Prince fought for his sister, for her children. He was an honorable man. The Princess of Dorn, Elia, died at the hands of the Mountain, as did her children. She was married to the crowned Prince, Rhaegar Targaryen, for years. Even in their complex marriage, she gave him children, dragons to continue the line for years to come. Robert's Rebellion ruined it all. Ser Gregor easily murdered the Targaryen heirs and their mother, making each a martyr. Rhaenyra thought quickly to Oberyn's sister, the Princess of Dorne Elia Martell. She was married to the crowned Prince Rhaegar Targaryen for years, a complex relationship. Elia gave him children, dragons to continue the line for years to come. Robert's Rebellion changed that. The Mountain was ordered to murder them, they each became a martyr for the Userper's war.  

She watched the Prince of Dorne circle the fallen Mountain. "You raped her!" His voice screeched about the groans of Ser Gregor. He motioned harshly to the Lannisters Rhaenyra sat amongst. "You murdered her!" The knight struggled to rise, desperately reaching for his blade. Oberyn ran toward him, striking him in the belly with his spear. "You killed her children!" The giant man fell to the floor with a loud thud and clatter. Oberyn repeated his words, "You raped her! You murdered her! You killed her children!" He stabbed the Mountain once more. Prince Oberyn was winning the trial.

The Lannisters and audience gasped, clearly in shock at the dying Gregor Clegane. His blood seeped onto the stone floor in a dark black pool. It was satisfying to watch the loyal follower fade away.

"Wait," Oberyn circled his opponent once more. "Are you dying? No, no, no! You can't die yet." He swung his weapon arrogantly, laughing. "You haven't confessed!" The end of his spear struck the Mountain's skull, "Say it. Say her name." He sliced at the knight's leg, "Elia Martell. You raped her, you killed her children!" Oberyn gestured to the Lannisters once more, tears in his eyes. "Who gave you the order? Who gave you the order?" His voice was raw as he creamed, "Say her name! You raped her, you murdered her, you killed her children!" His face reddened in rage as he repeated his words, "Say it! Say her name!"

Prince Oberyn fell to the floor beside Ser Gregor. 

Prince Oberyn fell to the floor beside Ser Gregor.

Rhaenyra stiffened in her seat. Her breathe stalled as the Mountain easily straddled Oberyn. His heavy hands covered the Prince's head. He lifted his large fist to beat the once cocky Dornishman. Oberyn's teeth clattered to the floor as the Mountain continued his work.

The sound of his skull-crushing under Ser Gregor's strength became a grotesque ring. "Ellia Martell!" He finally answered Oberyn's repetitive request. "I killed her! Raped her! Then I smashed her head in like this!" With his last ounce of life, the Mountain pushed his weight against Prince Oberyn's skull. It popped upon impact.

Rhaenyra rose from her seat in shock. She did not realize she was screaming until Jaime brought her tightly to his chest. She curled against him, shaking in his hold. Her hands curled around her husband's tunic. She brought him closer out of fear. Her cries matched the shock of the garden's audience. Jaime shared a similar shock and fear, she watched as his eyes wandered from the corpses to his brother. Through her still trembling screams, Rhaenyra heard Tywin declare, "The gods have made their will known. Tyrion Lannister, in the name of King Tommen of the House Baratheon, First of His Name, you are hereby sentenced to death."