Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

liv. Trial by Combat

Today is the day. Tyrion's trial by combat.

For the past two days the whole of the Red Keep seemed to be talking about the battle that was going to happen today. From the serving girls to the stable boys to even the lords and ladies. Each one of them had something to say and questions to ask.

I felt unsettled hearing everyone say how they believed Oberyn Martell stood no chance against Gregor Clegane. I believe Oberyn has a good chance of winning, but everyone else admitting they doubted him felt like a bad omen. It almost felt as if they were willing the slaughter of Oberyn at the hands of The Mountain into existence.

Daemon, Lucien and I could not arrive to the trial together. Lucien was going to sit in the same pavilion as King Tommen and Margaery. Daemon, despite being the King's cousin, was not allowed to sit with the royal party, so he was going to sit in the normal stands. As for myself, I was going to be standing with Ellaria and Tyrion under Oberyn's pavilion.

Standing with Tyrion seemed like I was supporting him, so Daemon and I had thought ahead. I have made a show of explaining to people that I will be standing there to support Ellaria and Oberyn, who I have become fast friends with. It was not actually a lie, though. It was the whole truth for once.

In all honesty, I could not care less if Tyrion died. If he dies, all eyes will be off me just long enough for me to convince the Small Council they can trust me enough to let me return to the North. If he lives, one of Tywin Lannister's strongest soldiers has been killed, Cersei's ego will be taken down a notch, and Oberyn survives.

The person I care about possibly dying is Oberyn. Whilst I have not known him for very long, I consider him a good friend. Despite his clear impulsiveness and lust for life - as well as men and women - he is a good man. He knows about the realities of the world and is one of few people who understand the pain the Lannisters have caused me. He is also a strong fighter and an intelligent man, making him someone I respect highly.

As I walked towards the pavilion, I struggled to push back the memories of the deaths of Viserys, Talisa, Robb, Mother and Alios. I found it was easier to try not to show my pain on my face than to push the memories back. It would be even easier if I did not fear I was going to lose yet another person I cared for though.

I will never forget seeing Viserys have molten gold poured over his head. Nor will I ever forget seeing Talisa repeatedly stabbed in the stomach, killing both her and her unborn child. I could never forget running to save Robb as he got stabbed in the heart. The image of Mother sputtering after her throat was slit was doomed to live with me forever. As was the memory of seeing Alios go to speak his last words to me before his head was cut off.

All I could do from this point onwards was hope that Oberyn would not be added to the list of people I cared for that I had seen die. Though I truly wished there was more I could do.

The arena for the trial by combat was almost full by the time I arrived. Everyone was chatting excitedly. Standing by the entrance no one seemed to be nervous. They all just seemed to want to see a bloodbath. 

Four Lannister guards led me around to the pavilion that Oberyn was preparing under. And by preparing, I mean drinking.

To say I was taken aback by seeing Oberyn pour himself a goblet of wine was an understatement. I think my jaw actually dropped a little as I watched him. I had absolutely no words for him to explain how concerned I was that he was drinking right before a fight to the death.

Another concern of mine, albeit minor compared to the drinking, was Oberyn's light armour. I knew he needed to be able to move quickly which meant no heavy armour, but still... I thought he would at least have a metal chest-plate on.