Winter's Fire → Game of Thrones

lvi. Celebrating Death

Lucien Tyrell

I had been unable to watch the end of the fight the second that The Mountain grabbed Prince Oberyn Martell's ankle. I could hear bones breaking and screaming, but I did not want to watch a brutal scene unfold. I would not have even come to such a distasteful event if it were possible for me to avoid it.

When the arena fell silent, I made the mistake of looking at the death in front of me. I gagged when I saw Oberyn's blood and bits of what looked like brain everywhere. His eyes seemed to have exploded and his whole face was a misshapen mess. It was truly disgusting to look at.

The silence was followed by screaming from a woman who I was assuming was Ellaria Sand, Oberyn Martell's paramour. I found her reaction to be rather dramatic. Was she not merely a step above a whore who Oberyn had shamed himself with by bringing her along everywhere?

Looking in that direction, I saw Alessia just staring at Oberyn's body. She looked almost emotionless at first. Then she looked as if she was seeing something no one else was. Something was clearly very wrong with her.

The longer I watched Alessia, the more worried I became. She went from emotionless to worried to panicked. And then she ran.

Where was she running to? What was wrong?

As much as I wanted to run after her, I could not. I was expected to follow my family to dinner. I have to keep a balance between my family and Alessia. I want to stay heir to House Tyrell and I need to keep the lords of The Reach on my side. I also want to go after Alessia, but I knew that she would be okay. She is the strongest woman I have ever met.

Daemon was pushing through people to get towards the royal tent. As if providing an answer to my problem, he was clearly going after Alessia. This way I could let her know I was still thinking of her. And I am sure she would understand what I am trying to do.

I grabbed Daemon's arm as he pushed past. At first he looked angry, but his face softened a little bit when he saw me.

He knew Alessia more than I did. They had known each other when they were young. I am sure he would be helpful to me, and to Alessia.

"Alessia, is she-" I began. "No, she needs help. But I need to go with my family. We are meant to celebrate."

Anger flashed across Daemon's eyes for a few moments. It seemed to disappear, but then he pushed me back. I stumbled a bit, but Daemon's actions did not make me any less determined to get his help.

"Lucien, hurry up," Father called.

"Yeah Lucien, hurry up," Daemon taunted, a cruel look on his angry face. "Would not want to disappoint daddy by checking on a woman who has fought for you, would we?"

I knew that Daemon was trying to push me and get an angry response. It did not make his anger and his reaction hurt any less, though.

Why could he not just understand where other people are coming from for once? We are not all in the situation where we get to do as we please because the king is our nephew and we hold no titles. Some of us have actual responsibilities!

"You are always so angry," I told Daemon, doing my best not to take the bait. "I need to keep a balance between my family and Alessia or everything will fall apart. Check on her for me, will you? I would do it myself if I could."

"There is always an option," Daemon told me, his eyes filled with anger. "I will not check on her for you. I will check on Alessia for Alessia. As you should also do."

I went to argue with Daemon, but he roughly shoved past me. His shoulder hit mine and I stumbled back a step.

Guards went to grab at Daemon, but I raised my hand to stop them. Then I straightened up my shirt and walked off. I had a dinner to get to and was not about to deal with Daemon's misplaced anger. He was just acting out after losing someone he saw as a friend.