The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 635: Marriage

(Thanks to Ai Hu Cao for the reward of Helmsman! Thank you! Reward update + guaranteed update, 8400 words.)

*

"Take them all down!" The Mountain roared.

Captain Alyn reached out and unbuckled Edmure's sword belt, Joyce stepped forward and removed Edmure's helmet, and several longswords were pointed at Edmure, preventing him from moving.

The longswords, helmets, and daggers of Edmure's guards were all confiscated, and all the guards were forced to dismount, raise their hands, and stand in a row.

This was very humiliating!

Generally speaking, no one orders people to raise their hands like this. This can be considered a small, fresh touch from the transmigrator, the Mountain, in this world.

The Mountain's Red Smoke Beast stepped forward, and he reached out and lifted Edmure off his horse. It was effortless, as if he were lifting a small humanoid toy: "Edmure, if it weren't for my little sister pleading for you, your head would already be on the ground."

Bang!

The Mountain threw Edmure hard onto the ground. Edmure's spine almost broke on impact, and the pain almost made him faint.

"Tie him up!" The Mountain roared.

Edmure and his guards were all tied up. Clang, the Mountain sheathed his longsword, drove the Red Smoke Beast to the Red Fork River, and shouted loudly towards Riverrun: "General Brynden Tully, do you want me to chop off the head of this villain, Edmure Tully? Or do you want him to marry his fiancée, Elinnea Westerling, according to the will of the Seven Gods? The Mountain is here, waiting for your reply."

"The Mountain, release Edmure Tully first," Brynden Tully said in a deep voice.

"Blackfish, are you planning to use my little sister's life to threaten me?" The Mountain laughed. His voice was like thunder, drowning out the sound of the Red Fork River's rushing water. "If you dare to touch my little sister, everyone in the Riverlands will die." The Mountain glanced at the fierce generals and bandits behind him. The soldiers drew their longswords, raised their knives and spears, and shouted together. The knives and spears were dense, like a bright forest of snow, and the shouts were earth-shattering.

The Riverlands had already been ravaged by Randyll Tarly's army, leaving only Riverrun and the Twins unconquered. If the Mountain were to lead his army to plow through the entire Riverlands again, it would be difficult for the Riverlands to recover for at least ten years.

When the Mountain takes action, no chickens or dogs are left! Castles and villages are all burned to the ground!

Brynden Tully was a famous general with a very hard backbone, and he would never be oppressed by threats. However, when it came to marriage, Edmure had been rude and immoral first. Brynden Tully was an upright person, and rudeness and immorality were a weakness for upright people, making it difficult to convince himself to overstep the line.

"The Mountain, I need to talk to Edmure."

"Then please cross the river!"

"Alright!"

Duke Edmure Tully had already been captured by the Mountain, and only the Blackfish was left in the city to preside over the overall situation. If the Blackfish were to cross the river again, with the Mountain's ferocity, as soon as he crossed the river, he would lose his freedom and be at the Mountain's mercy. If the Mountain had other intentions, Riverrun, having lost its duke and military leader, would be leaderless and would inevitably be captured by the Mountain.

On the city wall, the generals and knights strongly advised Brynden Tully not to cross the river!

"Duke Edmure is in the Mountain's hands. I must first ensure the Duke's safety," Brynden Tully said. "I know how to deal with the Mountain, so don't worry. We also have Elinnea Westerling here. She is the Mountain's cherished younger sister."

Blackfish Tully was a famous general. He couldn't possibly be unaware of the danger of crossing the river, but why was he so insistent on crossing the river? Did he really intend to persuade Edmure Tully to marry Elinnea?! However, the Mountain was too evil, and the generals and knights were all afraid.

The generals and knights all knelt on one knee, blocking the Blackfish's path and preventing him from leaving the city wall. Everyone earnestly advised him!

On the opposite bank of the river, Edmure Tully's pale face gradually regained its color. His spine ached faintly, and even his sternum felt awkward and uncomfortable. If the Mountain had really wanted to kill him, his spine would have been broken into several pieces by that forceful throw just now.

The moment Edmure landed, he was sensitive to the Mountain's infinite, restrained power!

"The Mountain, I will marry Elinnea Tully," Edmure suddenly shouted towards the Mountain by the river.

The Mountain turned his Red Smoke Beast around and looked at Edmure.

The Mountain was now least afraid of dealing with people who were honest, upright, and had a sense of chivalry. These people were loyal, brave, and foolish, inflexible. He could easily subdue them using the rules in their hearts.

Good people are never difficult to deal with! Bad people are also easy to deal with. The truly difficult people to deal with are those who are neither good nor bad. They only change according to the changes in the facts and interests, just like water. For example, Littlefinger Petyr Baelish, Bronn, Varys, and Tywin Lannister.

Facing the Mountain's scrutinizing gaze, Edmure took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible: "Elinnea is my legal fiancée. Don't doubt my decision to marry her."

The Mountain drove the Red Smoke Beast to Edmure Tully's side. Although this guy was honest, he was not stupid. He might be a little stronger than Eddard Stark in adapting to certain things.

"When?"

"…………"

"When will the wedding be held?"

"This… uh… I need to discuss it with my uncle… and my sister Catelyn… We will ask the septon to choose a good day… uh."

"Let's start preparing today. I will return to the Westerlands after attending your wedding," the Mountain announced decisively. "Captain Alyn, pass down the order for the army to camp here. We will return to the Westerlands after attending Duke Edmure's and my little sister's wedding."

"Yes, sir," Captain Alyn led a team of scouts to inform the troops.

The troops included eight thousand people from the mountain clans of the Mountains of the Moon. Children and old people were sitting in horse-drawn carts and ox carts, and women and men were driving the cattle and sheep raised at home. The line was very, very long, and one could not see the end of it at a glance.

"Captain Joyce, untie them!"

"Yes, sir!"

The warriors of the guard team drew their daggers and short swords and cut the ropes on the wrists of Edmure and his guards.

On the city wall across the Red Fork River, Elinnea Westerling said excitedly: "Lord Tully, look quickly, my brother-in-law has released Duke Edmure."

Brynden and the others, who were arguing fiercely, stopped talking. Everyone stood up and looked at the opposite bank of the river. Sure enough, Edmure and his guards had been freed. They were putting on their helmets and fastening their sword belts.

Edmure put on his helmet and hung his sword belt. Clym Warner led his warhorse to him. Edmure flipped onto the horse. The Mountain said: "Duke, come with me!"

The two of them came to the Red Fork River together. The Mountain shouted across the river, his voice like thunder, his momentum like a wild horse: "Ser Brynden Tully, Duke Edmure has ordered that Riverrun immediately begin preparations for the wedding. He has decided to hold the wedding with his fiancée, Elinnea Westerling, immediately. You and I are the witnesses of both families. Elinnea, my little sister, congratulations on your happy wedding."

On the city wall, Elinnea felt as if she had been punched in the heart. Her face turned pale, and her body trembled slightly.

She felt as if her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Joy and excitement filled her body, causing her to open her mouth but unable to say a word. She had 'humbly endured' for three years, and today, her wish had finally come true!

Her sister Genna married the Duke, and she also married the Duke, and the territory of the Tully family, the Riverlands, far exceeded that of Clegane's Keep. Outside Riverrun, there was an incomparably fertile plain for thousands of miles, a famous land of fish and rice in the Seven Kingdoms. If it weren't for the civil war, this would be a good place that was rich with oil. She was finally above ten thousand people and became the Duchess of the Seven Kingdoms. This news would make her mother so excited that she couldn't sleep for months when it was sent back to the Crag, right?

Elinnea Westerling's pair of snow-white hands unconsciously supported the brown city wall stone, and her two small sleeves were trembling slightly.

Duchess!

She became the Duchess!

She and her sister both married Dukes!

Yes, yes, yes, all of this was thanks to her brother-in-law, the Mountain!

Beside Elinnea, the generals and soldiers who had formed a circle to prevent Brynden Tully from leaving the city and crossing the river all breathed a sigh of relief. Then, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Everyone looked at Elinnea, who was about to become the mistress of Riverrun. This little girl would soon become their lord's wife and the mistress to whom they would kneel down and swear allegiance. They looked at Elinnea. This little girl still had some childishness on her face, but she already had the appearance of a little beauty. When she grew up for another two years, she would definitely become a great beauty, and the knights knew that Edmure Tully's first standard for choosing a wife was that she must be beautiful.

Blackfish Brynden Tully looked at the opposite bank of the river. He saw Edmure and the Mountain riding side by side on the opposite bank of the river. Neither of them had brought a single servant with them. He cursed something in a low voice, but no one heard him clearly.

Brynden Tully looked back at the people around him. He felt that everyone seemed to be quite happy!

In fact, he, like Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully, believed that Edmure Tully should rightfully marry Elinnea Westerling. This shameful guy had committed an unforgivable mistake three years ago. Later, he had also betrothed himself to Elinnea at the Crag in exchange for his freedom to return home. After returning home, this guy had always wanted to go back on his word, but in the eyes of the Blackfish and Eddard, that was unacceptable.

Whether it was the Old Gods or the New Gods, they could not accept such a person continuing to be so outrageous.

Over the past three years, the well-behaved and clever Elinnea had won the love of the people of Riverrun. First of all, the one who liked her the most was the late Duke Hoster Tully. It was precisely because of the old Duke's love that Edmure never dared to reveal his intention to break off the engagement in front of his father while his father was alive.

Duke Hoster Tully treated Elinnea as his little daughter, Lysa Tully, and transferred his feelings for Lysa Tully to Elinnea. In his illness, he often thought that Lysa Tully was still a little girl and was by his side. Of course, even after the old man died, Lysa Tully did not return, nor did she send a greeting.

After Hoster died of illness, Elinnea carefully pleased Brynden Tully. The little girl was very good at getting along with people, and the generals of Riverrun liked her. These well-behaved qualities of hers were deliberately cultivated by her mother and father in order to qualify her to marry into a noble family in the future. From the time she could walk, she was taught noble etiquette and how to speak well. And her sister Genna was the most carefully cultivated lady in the family. Not only did she know etiquette, but she was also proficient in various subjects.

The Westerling family's prayer to rely on their two daughters to marry well to turn their fortunes around may have been heard by the Seven Gods. Now, both daughters have married Dukes. This is truly wishful thinking and wish fulfillment!

*

Brynden Tully said to the knight beside him: "You have all heard it. Hurry up and prepare. Tell the septon to decorate the sept, tell the septas to decorate the bridal chamber, order the people to clean the streets, let the maester decorate the main hall of the castle, and tell the servants at home to be diligent. Everyone, take action. Your Duke has finally grown up."

"Yes, sir."

The family knights agreed together and left, making jokes that were unsuitable for children along the way.

Brynden actually had dissatisfaction and contempt in his heart for this nephew of his. The main reason was that Edmure was unwilling to study marching and fighting, nor was he willing to practice swordsmanship hard himself. Even when Riverrun was besieged by Randyll Tarly, he still spent his days drinking and spending time with a large group of noble children who had fled into Riverrun to avoid the war, and he spent more time in the women's quarters than he did guarding the city.

*

Across the river.

Edmure's face flushed: "The Mountain… can't you give me a few days… to let me ease up?"

"It will take several days to prepare and decorate for the wedding, which is enough for you to ease up," The Mountain reached out his hand to Edmure Tully, "Give it to me!"

"What?"

"The Hand's decree."

Edmure took out Mace Tyrell's letter as Hand of the King from his arms and handed it back to the Mountain. The Mountain looked at the letter and said, "Edmure, you have made the most correct decision. You have maintained the honor of the Tully family, and you have also maintained the glory of the Westerling family and the Clegane family. At the same time, you have also saved your own life and the lives of the people of the Riverlands."

Edmure shrugged his shoulders: "The Mountain, if I don't agree to this marriage, will you kill me and then kill all the people in the Riverlands?"

"I probably wouldn't be able to kill them all. The Riverlands are so big that there will always be someone who slips through the net, but it wouldn't be difficult to burn all the crops, castles, villages, and the Whispering Woods, right?"

Edmure's breath caught in his throat!

"You are a complete villain!" Edmure said through gritted teeth.

"To the enemy, I am indeed like this, but you are now my brother, my family, so I will not harm you with a single knife or spear, nor will I harm the people of the Riverlands. I am a bastard with principles… You cannot tarnish the honor of the Westerling family, because that is also the honor of my Clegane family, Ser Glendon—" The Mountain shouted.

Glendon Goodbrook immediately rode over. He was setting up the accommodation tent in the distance: "Your Grace!"

"Burn this letter!" The Mountain handed the Hand's decree to Glendon Goodbrook.

Then, Edmure was surprised to see that Glendon took the Hand's decree and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed it a few times and actually swallowed it.

Edmure couldn't believe what he was seeing. What kind of monsters were the Mountain's guards!

Eating letters, eating parchment!

Are these still normal people?!

The Mountain waved his hand, and Glendon rode away on his own. The army was setting up camp, and everyone had to lend a hand—of course, except for the Mountain!

"The Mountain, you have torn up the Hand's decree, so how are you going to explain it to the Iron Throne? The Hand and the King ordered you to conquer Riverrun and take the Riverlands," Edmure calmed down and returned to pragmatism.

The Mountain treated him as family and brother, and he was moved by his disobedience.

"Edmure, you don't have to worry about this. If you are willing to submit to the Iron Throne and are no longer willing to continue to be loyal to the Starks of the North, I will go to King's Landing with you and ask the Hand to grant you a high-ranking official position."

“I will not kneel and swear allegiance at the feet of a bastard born of incest,” Edmure said coldly. “Do you truly not understand that Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella are all bastards born of Cersei and Jaime's incest?”

“Who told you that?” the Mountain asked, his expression stern. When it came to showing off, the Mountain was a seasoned expert. A university student from Earth had no problem putting on a show.

“Eddard Stark, my brother-in-law. I believe in his knightly honor; he would never lie about such a significant matter.”

“Eddard Stark! I saved Eddard Stark's life,” the Mountain declared, revealing a 'secret' that could turn his opponent into an ally. Edmure, despite being a playboy, was honest and principled, making him worth recruiting. Like Eddard Stark, he wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics.

Edmure stared at the Mountain for a long moment: “I know, which is why I crossed the river to see you.”

“I also warned Eddard Stark about the Red Wedding at the Twins in advance, so he could prepare for it,” the Mountain added, delivering another heavy blow.

Edmure's expression finally changed!

“Don't believe me? Ask Eddard Stark. Robb and Catelyn probably know as well.”

Edmure looked at the Mountain, his eyes shifting strangely.

“Don't you believe I would save the Stark family and the fate of the North?” The Mountain smiled slightly. “Edmure, I am no longer the Mountain you think I am. The Mountain who committed so many evils is gone. I am a lucky man blessed by the Seven Gods.”

“A changed man?” Edmure heard his own voice change.

He had personally participated in the Red Wedding at the Twins and knew how bloody and tragic it had been. Smalljon Umber of Last Hearth had died a gruesome death.

The Mountain did not respond to Edmure's speculation about his identity. It was enough for Edmure to know that he had saved the Stark family of the North. As for Edmure's assumptions about him, he could guess all he wanted. In a world with gods, not explaining things could make him even more mysterious.

“I also rescued Sansa Stark from the Maidenvault.”

Edmure fell silent again. He was hearing about Sansa's rescue by the Mountain for the first time. Eddard and Catelyn had not told Edmure about Sansa. The Seven Kingdoms knew that Sansa had been trapped in the royal palace and forced to marry Tyrion Lannister.

“Sansa and the Imp…”

The Mountain interrupted Edmure: “It was Sansa's handmaiden, Jeyne Poole, who married the Imp. Before the wedding, I had already arranged for Sansa to be secretly rescued. She is still a maiden.”

This time, Edmure was silent for even longer: “Mountain, where is Sansa now?”

“In the Westerlands, serving as a handmaiden to my wife, Jeyne. Moreover, she has taken a liking to Reynard Westerling. They fell in love at first sight, and I will hold a wedding for them when I return to the Westerlands. My wife and Ser Reynard already know Sansa's true identity!”

“Reynard? Mountain, you are very enthusiastic about marriage alliances. If Sansa doesn't agree, will you force her as you forced me?”

“Reynard is a young hero. Compared to Tyrion Lannister, which one do you think Sansa would choose?”

“I married Alynneia, and we are already family. Your political marriage was successful. In the future, if you need anything, I will do my best to help you, considering your past assistance to the Stark family and your decision to tear up the Hand's decree today. But I ask you to release Sansa Stark and not make things difficult for her. She is only a fourteen-year-old child.”

The Mountain stared intently at Edmure, who did not flinch.

For his family, Edmure's courage was boundless! If it were for himself, he might have already given in!

“What if Sansa Stark herself chooses Reynard Westerling? If the two young people are truly in love, I will never separate them.”

“Mountain, I know Sansa… and think about it, if Sansa marries Reynard, wouldn't our family relations be a mess? I am Sansa's uncle, and I married Reynard Westerling's sister. I am Reynard's brother-in-law, and Reynard is my sister's son-in-law.”

“Hmph!” The Mountain snorted coldly. “When did your family honor become so important? Was it when you climbed into Alynneia's bed three years ago?”

Edmure choked!

“Even if Eddard Stark and Catelyn Tully object, I believe Sansa Stark's will should be respected. As long as she truly wants it, as long as she and Reynard are in love, I will support her.”

“Mountain, all of this is for politics!”

“No, you are wrong.” The Mountain flatly denied it. “You married Alynneia to uphold family honor and personal glory, which has nothing to do with politics. Sansa and Reynard, I will only support them if they truly love each other. If it were just for politics, I saved Eddard Stark, which already completed the political alliance. Eddard Stark promised me that he owed me a life, a favor. And the Stark family and the North owe me for the Red Wedding at the Twins.”

Edmure suddenly felt his mouth dry and his lips bitter. He realized that he could not argue with the Mountain.

Could it be that what the Mountain said was true, and these two marriages had nothing to do with politics?!

Was this eloquent Mountain still the reckless Mountain?!

No, since the Mountain used a mimic to trick open the gates of Riverrun in 298 AC, the Mountain was no longer the brutal and reckless Mountain!

*

“I hope to invite Sansa to my wedding!” Edmure said.

“You can send a raven to Clegane's Keep now. That is your courtesy and prerogative. As for whether Sansa can come, I think there won't be enough time. Edmure, I still need to return to the Westerlands.” The Mountain pointed to the endless line of troops along the Red Fork. “Are Riverrun going to feed so many people for a month? That will require a lot of food and drink.”

“Mountain, you can let your army go ahead, and you can stay behind with the guard and some generals. I hope Sansa Stark, Lady Jeyne, Lady Sybell Spicer, Lord Gawen Westerling, and Ser Reynard Westerling can attend the wedding. If the North weren't so far away, I would also invite my sister Catelyn Tully, my brother-in-law Eddard Stark, and the King of the North, Robb, and his Queen.”

“Would you like to see Reynard now and then hear Sansa's inner thoughts?”

“Yes. But I also hope my wedding will have the blessings of my relatives. I like a lively atmosphere.”

“Edmure, there isn't enough time. We can only send ravens to notify them and tell the Stark and Westerling families about your and Alynneia's wedding. Duke Eddard is at the Wall, and Lord Gawen Westerling is on Dragonstone. Although the Westerlands and the Riverlands are neighbors, with the River Road connecting the two places, it would probably take them a month to travel from Clegane's Keep to Riverrun. The wedding must be completed within seven days. I will return to the Westerlands after seven days. That's the decision.” The Mountain concluded.

*

Seven days later, on the west bank of the Red Fork, Alynneia and Edmure, the newly married couple, bid farewell to the Mountain with hundreds of people.

Most of the Mountain's army had already set off four days earlier.

All that remained were the Mountain's cavalry.

The Mountain raised his hand, and the light and heavy cavalry set off forward.

“Alynneia, come here. I have something to say to you.”

Alynneia glanced at her husband Edmure, who nodded. Only then did Alynneia slowly ride over.

The Mountain reached out and gently lifted Alynneia onto his Red Smoke.

His Red Smoke and him were so much taller than Alynneia, making it awkward to look at and inconvenient to talk.

The two slowly moved forward on their mounts.

A Tully family knight came up and led Alynneia's horse from a distance.

“Alynneia, do you need me to arrange sworn shields to be by your side?”

“Brother-in-law, if I have my family's guards by my side, it might better highlight the strength of our family.”

“Alright, I'll give you Noriss. He is one of my sworn shields. Noriss is a refugee from the Reach and was once my spearman. His wife and daughter are both in my army. His wife repairs my armor and sharpens my longsword. Now, I will have Noriss be your personal captain of the guard and his wife be your handmaiden supervisor. What do you think?”

“Little sister is extremely grateful, brother-in-law!”

“Edmure is an honest man. His weakness is that he has a standard of right and wrong in his heart.”

“I will remember that, brother-in-law.”

“The Westerling and Clegane families need the Tully family as allies and support. The situation in the Seven Kingdoms is still very complicated, and the Targaryen dragons will come from across the Narrow Sea and eventually fight for the Iron Throne. I hope you will get along well with Edmure. He is someone you can entrust your life to. His weaknesses are his fondness for alcohol and women.”

“I will grow up, brother-in-law.”

“Yes, every month, you must write a letter to your sister to report that you are safe. If, in some matters, what you want to say is the opposite of what is written in the letter, then when signing your name, abbreviate your name and only write Alynneia. If everything is normal, then write your full name, Alynneia Westerling.”

“I will remember.”

“In the future, no matter how happy you and Edmure are, you must not let him know the truth about him getting drunk and going to the wrong bed at Casterly Rock, otherwise, there will definitely be a rift between you two, and the marital relationship will most likely be irreparable. Honest people become overly agitated, unreasonable, and impossible to explain things to once they feel they have been deceived.”

“I will definitely remember and never tell him the secret of that night he was drunk, no matter how long it takes or how good he is to me.”

“Very good!” The Mountain reined in Red Smoke. “Noriss!” he called.

Noriss galloped out of the guard and came to the Mountain.

“My sister has married into the Tully family, but she is still very young, and I am not at ease. There are no Cleganes or Westerlings in Riverrun.”

“Lord Duke, I am willing to be Lady Alynneia's personal guard.”

“Noriss, I will give you twelve men. You can choose them from my guard.”

“Brother-in-law, six people are enough. I'm afraid Duke Edmure might feel uncomfortable with twelve people. If something bad really happens, I'm afraid that even twelve people wouldn't be enough. Six people is just right. It's enough whether I'm traveling or at home.”

“Alright, Noriss, go to the guard and choose six soldiers. Also, have your wife, Anna, choose a few maids from the servant team and enter Riverrun with you to serve Lady Alynneia. What do you think?”

“Thank you, Lord, for not wanting to separate my wife and me.”

“Noriss, tell the brothers that regardless of whether Duke Edmure pays you wages or not, whether you are maids or guards, Alynneia will still pay you your salaries every month. I will give the money to Alynneia in advance. You are still Cleganes.”

“Yes, Lord Duke.”

The daughters of great nobles have extremely rich dowries, and the maids and guards are also paid by themselves. Of course, there are also those who use their husband's money to pay the servants and guards. There is no fixed standard for this. There are also wealthy ladies who spend their own money throughout their lives.

The Mountain had already made a decision that his little sister Alynneia would not use Edmure's money in her life. Her expenses would be borne by the Mountain and Jeyne to the end.

Alynneia and Edmure married in a hurry, and neither side was well prepared. Alynneia, in particular, had no dowry. However, the gifts and money sent by the Mountain's generals filled her new room.

“Noriss, go pick six soldiers. I'll order Anguy to bring back your wife, Anna.”

“Yes, Lord.”

*

Half an hour later, a light cavalry led by Anguy arrived with a total of six female workers from the army, led by Noriss's wife, Anna.

The Mountain's light and heavy cavalry had all gone far away, and the Mountain and his guard were at the very end.

Edmure and his wife stopped to say goodbye with their family soldiers.

The Mountain said, “Brother-in-law, I have a total of thirteen people to give to your wife. You won't object, will you?”

Edmure had already seen through everything and smiled, “Brother-in-law, don't say you want to give Alynneia thirteen people, even if you give her three hundred people, I would be happy to have them.”

“Good! These seven guards are my bravest soldiers. Noriss is their captain. Now, little sister, they are your guards.”

“Thank you, brother-in-law.”

The Mountain nodded slightly, and Noriss led six brothers to dismount together, first kneeling on one knee to Edmure, paying their respects to the Lord Duke, and then paying their respects to Alynneia and swearing allegiance. Afterwards, they stood up, remounted, and went behind Lady Alynneia.

Then Anna led five female workers, and after they met the new master, they also went and stood behind Alynneia.

In this way, Alynneia had a total of thirteen maids and guards from her own family. The Westerling family was the oldest noble family in the Westerlands and also the proudest. Only when the lady had her own maids and guards could she be worthy of her status as the Duchess.

The Mountain drew his longsword with a clang. Under the astonished gazes of everyone, he looked at Noriss, “Noriss, dismount and kneel!”

Noriss was overjoyed and hurriedly rolled off his horse, kneeling on one knee.

The Mountain dismounted the Red Smoke Beast and gently tapped the sides of Norris's head and each of his shoulders with the Ice Giant Sword. Then, he placed the tip of the sword on Norris's right shoulder. "I, Gregor of House Clegane, Duke of Dragonstone, Warden of the West, Master of War of the Seven Kingdoms, hereby invoke the glory of House Clegane and call upon the Seven Gods to witness that I bestow upon Norris the honor of knighthood and grant him the Clegane name. Norris Clegane, please follow me in reciting the Knight's Code. I vow to fear no foe, no matter how strong..."

Tears welled up in Norris's eyes. The Mountain's bestowal of knighthood and a family name filled him with gratitude that shattered his very bones; he could never repay such kindness even if he died ten thousand times over.

"I vow to fear no foe, no matter how strong..."

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