Blood in the hills

Fair warning, I didn't hold back on this one. It's not Disney after all lmao ( at least not yet, you never know with these guys…)

—————

Face to face with Tywin, I see him contemplating his next words. Meanwhile, I hold my gaze while remaining calm. The silence weighs on me quickly, starting to stress me out more and more. But only a short moment actually passed when he finally deigned to speak.

''Until recently, I would have been uncertain about getting you involved in this case. But you changed for the better. You told me some of your plans, instead of waiting for me to lecture you. I thought you didn't understand what our heritage means, how important it is. But you have made a clean sweep of your useless half-measures and secretiveness. What did you believe, before ? That I would bring down the Amber Mane for giving you informations ?''

His gaze then intensifies before he continues.

''Or did you even think that I would have had Maester Creylen killed because of the letters ?''

My eyes widen as I realize he knows a lot more about me than I let him in on. Does he know everything? Surely not. But I underestimated his network, shame on me.

''So you knew up to that point? I never replied to Melara, but I appreciated having the maester ready to put himself in the wrong so that I was informed.''

''Precisely. As faulty as his judgment was, he got attached to you over time. Few maesters hold more loyalty towards a house or an individual than the Citadel. He was and is to remain as your asset, I have therefore no interest in taking him away from you. You'll need people like him, in your life.''

I think I may have antagonized him a little too much… Or at least judged him incorrectly.

It seemed clear to me that Tywin wanted to keep total control of absolutely everything, more obsessively so than while talking about his legacy. But no, his actions go much further than that.

He has a clear vision of the long term, of what is beneficial, even if it goes against his wishes. His anger sometimes gets the better of him, but he remains an intelligent and outstanding lord.

''I understand, father. I understand more than ever.''

''Good. Now as much as I'm pleased to know that you didn't foolishly converse with the girl, she seems to have been enough foolish for the both of you. Her last letter didn't directly arrive, slowed down by a series of circumstances. Considering the content, the girl wanted to come here to… espace the reality of her life. Where she failed to use her wits was when deciding to cross the rocky sides of the hills alone. Her horse has been found two weeks ago. Hornvale fell into a frenzy, and found the layer of a bunch of bandits with their scouts. Due to its proximity with the found horse, it was determined that Melara Brax would be held there. We don't know how many they are, but it is estimated to be maximum a hundred individuals. As we are talking, lord Andros is rallying his forces with some troops sent by house Lydden and others from house Lefford to face the group of bandits directly in their hideout. You must understand why I hesitated to get you involved, I trust.''

Seven be damn, coming here alone ? I wouldn't have though that she would be that desperate.

The recent events nearly made me forget about her. I have too many things to think about, so no time to stir up this kind of memory.

''Yes. You didn't want to risk me to meddle my personal feelings to it, even less so now that I'm betrothed. But don't worry, for I know where my duty lays. No such emotion ever could have intervened.''

''Then it is perfect. Considering your optimal disposition, as well as the fact that you are a knight and has already partially proven your worth, you involvement is now official. The girl is a noble of our lands, captured by mere sheeps. As a matter of fact, I still hesitated to have our house interfere. But it is a good opportunity for you to show your standing and the superiority of house Lannister. You will go there right away and join our bannermen with the needed troops. Kevan will accompany you there and keep you safe. You are to show their place to all these mindless peasants daring to kidnap a noble lady. They may have to be reminded of what fear is. You know what it entails, right ?''

Of course I know, father. As much as I can misjudge you, I still lived my entire life by your side.

''Yes, I must make an example out of the bandits by having them all killed. It will be done, father.''

''Indeed, to the very last one. Now go, some days of travel are awaiting you and time is counted.''

I then join, at the entrance of Casterly Rock, the forces that Tywin has agreed to mobilize. They are not large in scale, but the supposed bandits are not an army either.

Uncle Kevan is waiting for me there, having already mounted his gray horse.

''I guess your father told you everything, Leo. Ready to go ?''

Good question, but I don't really have a choice in this. Duty calls and I respond.

''As ready as I can be, it's just that it's all kind of sudden.''

''Don't worry, I got your back no matter what. Now mount your horse, some days of ride are necessary to get to Hornvale. Ablet, is it not ?''

''Aye, my best girl Ablet. I would NEVER change her for another horse.''

We then left at a good pace, constantly trying to go faster to arrive in time.

To do so, we first moved to Deep Den to rally the Lydden troops and arrive at Hornvale by a simpler road.

It took five days before we met with lord Lewys Lydden, who decided to come himself alongside ser Beric Hunrey. I talked a bit with James, but we didn't have much time to catch up as our forces were awaited.

He wanted to come and help me, but lord Lydden categorically refused. The lord prefered for his son and heir to stay sheltered this time.

After that, a whole day was needed to arrive in the small castle of Hornvale. Although the distance is short, the path was quite steep and included many tricky turns between the hills.

The castle itself was horribly badly located, in the middle of mountainous terrain with almost no fertile lands. It might be fine defensively, but it's the kind of house that wouldn't survive without our food dealings with the Reach. Hopefully, when our new agricultural assets will further prove themselves, they will be entirely dependent on us.

Hornvale and its surroundings are austere. It's all rocks, stones and dust. Under these conditions, it is impossible to elevate one's own house above the others. Only alliances could be favorable to them.

It doesn't surprise me that lord Brax was at his wit's end, after all his marriage refusals. The Tullys and Tyrells refused them, and his plan related to me and Melara failed by her own doings. Andros is alone and disarmed, which suits me given his ambitious character.

A few hours after us, the forces of the Golden Tooth arrived. Lord Leo Lefford himself came to the front of his troops, followed by ser Lorimer the Belly.

The resemblance of our names took me a little by surprise, but Leonard is clearly better than Leo. There is no debate on that.

Unsurprisingly considering his less than charming nature, Andros decided not to show up to rescue his daughter. He preferred to send his brother, ser Rupert Brax, there.

After spending the night in the castle, we regrouped our troops and set out for a short day's riding through the remote hills of the Westerlands.

At the end of the afternoon, we were already a few kilometers away from the cave housing the bandits, which had been spotted by the scouts.

At the front of our little platoon with Lewys, Kevan, Rupert and Leo, we talk about the final details of the operation, as well as our concerns. Lord Lydden seems to be the most worried about the unfavorable conditions in which we find ourselves.

''I do not like this. The wind is too strong and has tired our horses far too much. The rain has been falling violently for hours and a storm has just started. To top it off, the sun is already setting, hidden by the heights of the hills.''

Lord Lefford laughs briefly before raising his voice to be heard in the pouring rain.

''No need to attract bad omens with this kind of useless comment, lord Lydden. Can't you see our numbers? How many can our foes even be, a hundred? By the seven, we are a thousand soldiers armed to the teeth. Victory has already been decided.''

Overzealousness is the reason for the downfall of many great powers. Unjustified arrogance leads to chaos and defeat.

So I'd rather step in now and put up with Lewys words than wait for the problems to arise on their own.

''Let's not rush too much, lord Lefford. The ground is increasingly muddy due to the rain, it hinders the movements of our horses and could be problematic if we are attacked in this state. Moreover, according to the report given to us, these bandits have been taking refuge in the hills for an indefinite period of time. Imagine it being years, or even decades. This would mean that they know this terrain much more than we do and could take advantage of preferential positions. We must absolutely remain vigilant, despite the advantage of numbers.''

Kevan position himself by my side, before taking his turn to speak.

''I support my nephew's words. Don't be fooled by his youth, because-''

But in the middle of his sentence, a great sense of danger alerts me and I turn to see an archer aiming his bow at me.

''AN AMBUSH !''

I'm stuck in the saddle and struggling to draw my sword. Fortunately, my uncle reacted quickly and used his sword to deflect the arrow that threatened to lodge in my shoulder.

He could very well have missed it, even narrowly. Countering an arrow with a simple swing of the sword is either a feat or a real mastery of your weapon.

But I am still surprised when I hear the shrill noise my horse makes. Looking at it, I then realize where the arrow deviated. The arrow came through Ablet's right eye, squirting the animal's blood all around.

''ABLET ! NOOOO !!!!''

Hardly have I time to shout that my horse begins to calm down dangerously quickly and falls on the side. My left leg is then stuck under the heavy body of my companion.

''HAAAAAA !!! F*CKING SEVEN HELLS !!!''

Stuck on the ground, amid the thick mud and blood of Ablet, I hear the lords shouting orders.

The majority of our troops put themselves in an impeccably defensive position, but some are terrified of all this sh*t. The situation could hardly have been more catastrophic than it is now.

I can hear the complains of ser Rupert, regarding all of this mess.

''By the seven, HOW DID THE F*CKERS EVEN AMBUSH US ? We can barely see and move here ! Maintain formation, you morons !''

My horse, still barely alive, then begins to panic out of self-preservation and moves violently in all directions.

''ABLET! Please, calm down now. You f*cking hurt me ! Arghh, BY THE SEVEN ! HAAAAAA, MY LEG !!!''

Kevan then arrives running, having gutted two bandits who had surrounded him.

When he realizes the situation, my uncle stabs Ablet in her right buttock. This causes a start in the horse, which rises to its feet before galloping away.

He kneels before grabbing me by the left arm.

''Hold on to my shoulder, it's almost over. Our assailants are nearly all dead, they were too few to defeat us.''

I lean on Kevan as I limp, my leg hurting excruciatingly. But that's already a good sign, I guess. If I didn't feel anything, that means I would have definitely lost the use of my left leg.

My uncle then puts me near a rock below the path. He keeps the sword in his hands, while looking murderously all around him. A dozen guards who had been following us then join him, keeping me safe for the rest of the battle.

After a few tens of minutes, the rest of the troops join us. Lord Lefford is in the front, with a bloody wound along his shoulder.

''We are victorious. But the result is far from glorious, with five dozen casualities on our side.''

Lord Lydden then arrives, followed by Ser Beric Hunrey.

''My lords, ser Beric has found a shelter down this path. The storm is raging, it's too dangerous to do anything right now. We should stay there until the rain stops.''

Once sheltered in a small rocky cavity to protect us from the rain, we then talk about the informations we got from the battle. Ser Rupert is the one to start with what has been reported to him.

''They were ready. It seems that we never had the advantage of surprise, to being with.. It was purely an act of last resort, due to the fact that they had nowhere else to hide. The bandits tried everything, with the weather giving them confidence in their ambush.''

Ser Lorimer continues with what little informations he has gattered.

''They didn't all come out to face us, only seventy of them. The other thirty or so must be staying at their hideout, they wouldn't go through the hills with such a weather.''

After some debate regarding our next actions, we decided to stay there all night if necessary. We will then go to the cave of the bandits and finish it all.

As we rest, Kevan approaches me with a worried look.

''Are you alright ? You suffered quite a fall, with your horse. Others would have been amputated for less.''

I sigh quietly, my eyes heavy with fatigue and emotion.

''I'm fine, really. It's already less painful, compared to earlier. My leg must have been stuck in a not too precarious position, I believe. Otherwise, I would feel much worse.''

''That's good. I saw that it swells a little, but not too seriously. You're doing pretty well, Leo. Try not to move too much and rest a little more. I'll bring you something to warm you up for the night.''

I'm really in a sh*tty state... Although I can't help it, my useless participation caused me a major blow to my ego.

At least, the worst has been avoided. I suffered under the shock, but it seems to remain superficial. A good night's rest and I should be able to walk on my own, limping a bit.

''Thank you, Kevan. It could have been worse without your help. I owe you a lot.''

Kevan smiles in a tired way, while shaking his head to the side.

''No, you are my nefew. You don't owe me anything and never will. Now sleep, little lion.''

As if following his order to the letter, my eyes directly close and let me drift off into a much needed sleep.

But the night was short, because the weather softened just after sunrise. No one wanting to linger here, the soldiers were awakened and we set off again on the path leading to the cave where Melara Brax would be detained.

Kevan insisted on continuing to support me, but I wanted to walk alongside him alone. I already feel much better since yesterday, probably partly due to my accelerated recovery.

While we are a few hundred meters away from the place that had been indicated, I come across the lifeless body of my horse Ablet. She must have run a few miles before collapsing from exhaustion. Injured and in such cold, it doesn't surprise me that she passed away.

But all the same, it pains me to see my horse in this state. I squat painfully next to Ablet and stroke her mane one last time while murmuring a few last words in her honor.

''Eight long years riding on your back… we've come a long way together, girl. You have always been loyal and proud, with your eyes full of intelligence. I will miss you a hell of a lot. Have a good rest, the seven are waiting for you by their side.''

I'm too tired to shed a single tear, but I pat her fondly on the back before getting up and continuing on my way.

On the sides of the path, some corpses belonging to the victims of the bandits give us desolate scenes.

I see a small pile of mutilated corpses half buried among the rocks, their dried blood having imbued the ground with their scarlet color.

In another place, two mutilated and bloodied women hang from a dead tree. A third one is on the ground, the rope having dropped due to the power of the storm. I checked their bodies, trying to identify Melara. But none of the corpses belonged to her.

My eyes go blank. I'm fed up, I've had my dose... better end it as soon as possible, or I'll lose control. I have been accustomed to being the spectator of many deaths, and killed a few times. I only do what I have to do, sometimes also what others don't have the strength to do. But I never liked it, my disgust has always been hidden deep inside me. As listless and cold as I may sometimes seem, my heart is not made of stone.

I can't take this disastrous adventure anymore, this sh*tty quest. Let's get this over with as soon as possible.

Very quickly, we finally approach the cave and the rest of the bandits are visible there. They too had remained sheltered during the storm.

With our many soldiers, our forces kill them as easily as it is to pick flowers. Blood and guts flow, quickly marking the end of the conflict.

While the fighting was going on, I stayed on the side because of my infirmity. Out of curiosity, I took advantage of this moment to explore the cave. I also want to know if she is dead or not, if what we experienced had a meaning.

As I move forward, rubbles and remains of life necessities show themselves to me. These people live in deplorable conditions, with a total lack of basic sanitation. It seems to be worse than a shantytown, or poor neighborhoods. This cave is a real rat hole.

My intention is then drawn by a trail of blood and I instinctively decide to follow it.

At the end of the morbid track, I come across the corpse of a young woman whom I unfortunately recognize.

Melara's lifeless body is mutilated to the extreme, beaten and cut in multiple places. She is in such a horrible bloodied state that one would almost forget her shredded and torn clothes. Her empty, wide-open gray eyes reflect the misery of her final hours, with tears of blood streaming down her cheeks.

This is far from being everything, because old scars of several months or even years are drawn along her body.

I did not remember these deep marks during our lovemaking. It seems that I was more drunk and unconscious than I thought. And I now fully understand why she wanted to run away at all costs. The poor thing has been a victim of life, with little to no comfort to ease the weight of her misfortunes. She was not the danger I had imagined her to be, after confessing her initial plans in her letters. What a mess…

Kneeling beside her, I gently close her eyelids with my right hand.

Even if knowing someone makes more sense for saying last words, I still have things to tell her.

''I didn't love you, and I think you didn't feel anything towards me either. You needed an escape, a hope. And despite your pleas, I was never what you were looking for in me. I remained silent when I suspected the suffering you were going through. Apologizing wouldn't do you any good from where you are now. All I can wish for you is to rest in peace, Melara. Farewell.''

Should I have rejected her by letter as soon as possible ? Or maybe buy her a one-way ticket away from Westeros ? I really don't know. I'm almost sad about it, because I don't know if I have some responsibility for her death or not. Yet, was it really my place to do anything about it ?

While I get lost in my negative thoughts, the high-pitched sound of a scream reaches my ears and I feel imminent danger approaching me.

I barely have time to turn around, when I feel a blade approaching my reed. By reflex, I block the blow with my left hand and brandish a dagger with the other, before piercing the neck of the culprit.

When my attacker reveals himself to be someone of a young age, I freeze in place for a moment. He seems to be no older than me, barely thirteen or so. The boy is also smaller, frail and skinny.

But after a few moments of shock, something else directly catches my attention. I'm supposed to feel disgusted by what happened just now, even if just a little deep in my soul. But I... I feel nothing, nothing at all.

In confusion and panic, I start stabbing the boy again and again, taking all my frustration out on him. As he tries to beg me to stop, he chokes on the flow of his own blood, pouring from his mouth and neck.

I hate it so much, when I don't understand something ! I hate it all… I tried so hard to keep control of myself and keep my feelings in check. What did it bring to me ? Only to see another remnant of the old me passing away. Part of my sanity has gone forever now. I realize that and it scares me.

When I come out of my daze, I drop my dagger on the ground and contemplate the massacred boy I killed.

My bloody hands rest on my head, before I pull them away to rest them along my weak knees.

''F*ck. D-Damn it all… HAaa-haa-haa…''

In front of all this sh*t, I start to quietly cry, in an interspersed way, cut by an uncomfortable laughter filled with sadness.

Who's the monster here ? Is it lord Andros who martyred his daughter until the last moment ? Is it this group of poor and young bandits who killed and mutilated innocent people ? Or is it me... who killed a child without feeling anything ? In a way, I think we're all somebody's monster. It might be as simple as that. It's all about perspectives, values, experiences... morals only complicate things, poison our minds as soon as we do something considered wrong.

I get up slowly and leave the cave in silence, passing next to soldiers who finish off their enemies with the last blows of their swords. When I see a rock in front of me, I sit on it before stopping to think about anything.

Kevan then appears in front of me, also exhausted. But not for the same reasons.

''It's finally over. The girl has been found. She will be sent back to house Brax for a proper burial. As for the culprits ? They are all dead, as per your father's command. Some of them were quite… young. There were young adults and older teenagers. We have just received informations stating that they could have been a group of pleasants who barely survived the last winter, which had caused famines in various villages in the hills. While they did what they could to survive, it doesn't change the fact that they should never have resorted to such sordid methods. I have also seen that one of them was twelve names day, or maybe thirteen.''

Seeing the expression on my face contort, he sighs deeply before speaking again.

''So you were the one who killed him… Give yourself some time to get over this, but don't let it haunt your nights. Because young men also participate in the battlefields. We all have at least the memory of having killed one of them. And don't forget that what happened here is nothing but justice, a just retribution. You might get criticized by some for that sort of action, but that never stopped men like your father.''

After these words, I regain some of my colors, enough to look at him and listen carefully to what he has to say.

''You know, my father's rule was a real disaster. He almost completely ruined our house. At court, they japed about the toothless lions and mocked us in their cups. Even my father's mistress stole from him. A woman scarcely one step above a wh*re, and she helped herself to my mother's jewels ! It fell to Tywin to restore house Lannister to its proper place just as it fell to him to rule this realm, when he was no more than twenty. He bore that heavy burden for twenty years, and all it earned him was a mad king's envy. Instead of the honor he deserved, he was made to suffer slights beyond count. Yet he gave the seven kingdoms peace, plenty, and justice. He IS a just man. You were wise to finally trust him, and now by being as just as him. Well… all this to say that this is the reality of this world and you may get to do this kind of thing again, with the honors which will be due to you or not. All you have to do is to never doubt that this is all part of justice.''

His opinion is interesting. Justice ? It is true that it depends on how one interprets it. Knowing that he did what was necessary, I nearly always sided with my father's actions. But from this perspective, it's much more than that. Maybe the only real justice I need is the one of my family, nothing else truly matters.

To the seven hells with the good thinkers of the north and other hypocrites, let them keep their weak half-measure justice and honor for themselves. And if the sense of justice of my father and mine dismiss them, may they keep their greater good for themselves until their death. If it comes to this, absolutely nothing will prevent me from acting in the ONLY good of my house.

Yes, that now makes perfect sense to me. There is no other truth in this world that matters to me but this one.

A faint smile replaces my dull face, thanks to my uncle's words.

''To justice, then.''

He wins a smile in his turn, happy to have been able to get me out of my calamitous state.

''Yes, Leonard. To justice.''

———-

I hope this psychological upheaval is more or less realistic. He's been through enough at once to have some impact, I think.

P.S: The book fans may have seen my easter egg, right there. I really wanted to put it in there, hope you liked it.

( Much of Kevan's opinion about his brother comes from a dialogue in the books. The characters are deeper there than in the tv show, from what I've seen)