Lannisport, the largest city in the Westerlands. It was also the region's greatest trade hub. Many goods from the Riverlands, under Lord Hoster Tully's domain, were imported through Lannisport. Likewise, a great deal of exported goods were shipped from its docks.
Three major roads of the Westerlands, the River Road, the Goldroad, and the Searoad, all converged at Lannisport. From there, they merged into a single grand avenue leading north straight to Casterly Rock, the capital of the Westerlands. The broad avenue that extended from the Lion's Mouth Gate of Casterly Rock was several times wider than any other, wide enough for dozens of horses to ride side by side. It was a marvel of engineering in its own right.
The Clegane lands were located quite close to Lannisport.
After Tywin Lannister granted Gregor Clegane a new fief, his territory formed a long, narrow triangle, backed by the Goldroad and fronting the Searoad. This made travel and trade extremely convenient, especially for journeys to Lannisport.
The city was governed by Lord Auren Lannister, an earl and a cadet branch of House Lannister of Casterly Rock. He had a daughter named Rosamund Lannister, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Myrcella Baratheon, daughter of Cersei Lannister. To those unfamiliar with them, the two girls could easily pass as twin sisters.
Aud Lannister's hair was more yellow than golden, and unlike the main line of House Lannister, it was straight, not curly. Yet Rosamund inherited every trait of the Casterly Rock lineage, golden curls, bright green eyes, and the proud bearing of a true lioness.
Rosamund Lannister was born in 290 AC, the same year as Myrcella Lannister. She was now eight years old.
That morning, sweet and innocent Rosamund played in the garden, swinging on her swing, chasing butterflies, singing and dancing, tossing smooth white stones into the garden stream. Gardeners trimmed the hedges and trees as she flitted about like a tiny, beautiful sprite in the vast garden. Then, quite suddenly, she let out a sharp cry. Startled, the servants rushed over, and froze at the sight that greeted them.
A hulking man-beast had appeared in the garden: Gregor Clegane.
Rosamund was cradled in his massive arms.
All the servants halted in place, hearts pounding. Not a single one dared to speak. The maids clapped hands to their mouths, eyes wide in shock and fear.
Gregor was dressed not in his usual steel armor, but in a finely tailored noble's outfit. Gone was the infamous flat-topped helm, and his massive greatsword was nowhere to be seen. His expression as he looked down at Rosamund was unusually gentle, even tender, but that didn't stop the servants from being terrified out of their wits.
One of them slipped away quietly to alert Lord Auren.
"Rosamund." Gregor said in a voice lowered as best he could, though it still boomed like distant thunder, "would you like to be my adopted daughter?"
Rosamund didn't answer. Her wide, luminous eyes simply stared up at him, filled with uncertainty. Despite the warm smile on Gregor's face, the fear in her expression was plain.
"Are you afraid of me?" Gregor asked, pulling a piece of candy from his pocket.
Rosamund quickly clasped her hands behind her back, refusing the treat.
"I'm a big bad man, aren't I?" Gregor chuckled softly. "You're probably thinking that in your little heart, 'he's a bad man.'"
Though Gregor showed no signs of imminent violence, the servants didn't dare move to retrieve Rosamund. And the gods only knew where the guards had gone. For now, they could only wait in stiff silence for Lord Auren to arrive.
Gregor gently placed the candy into the small flower-embroidered pocket on Rosamund's dress. "Rosamund, is your father at home?"
She gave a tiny nod, some of the fear in her eyes beginning to ease.
"Good. Let's go see him. Can you show me the way?"
Rosamund nodded again.
Gregor had barely taken a step when the sound of boots rang out from both the garden gate and the keep's main entrance.
Two squads of guards appeared at once.
Their captain was named Garen Lanny.
The surnames Lanny, Lannys, and Lantell were all distant offshoots of House Lannister. Garen Lanny, with his full head of yellow hair, bore the common traits of Lannister's cadet lines.
Gregor glanced at Garen, just once, and the captain froze in place.
Both squads halted, hands on sword hilts, but fear was written across their faces.
In all the Westerlands, the only force stronger than the Lannisport guard was the garrison at Casterly Rock. Even the Gold Cloaks of King's Landing and the ancient defenders of Oldtown couldn't match the strength and discipline of Lannisport's city watch. That strength had been hard-won, for the nearby Iron Islands had raided Lannisport countless times over the years, both openly and as pirates. To defend themselves, the city had built a formidable navy and an equally capable guard.
Lord Auren's personal guards were the elite among this elite. Yet in Gregor's eyes, even these soldiers, feared by Ironborn and known across the Seven Kingdoms, meant nothing.
"Ser Gregor…" Garen began, glancing anxiously at Rosamund.
Gregor cut him off. "Lead the way. I'm here to see Lord Auren."
Garen looked once more at Rosamund. The little girl turned her head toward him and said pitifully, "Uncle Garen, hold me."
"Lead the way." Gregor repeated, his tone icy.
"Yes, my lord." Garen said, not daring to resist.
Though Garen had the look of a hardened warrior, with bronzed skin and a stern jaw, next to Gregor he seemed like a mere hill beside a towering mountain. Whatever strength he possessed was rendered meaningless.
He walked ahead respectfully, showing due deference.
Gregor, in turn, looked down at Rosamund with a gaze full of warmth and affection. Sadly, the girl still wanted nothing to do with him. But Gregor was thick-skinned enough not to mind.
"Ser Gregor!" came a cheerful voice from a distance.
Lord Auren Lannister strode briskly toward them, accompanied by a gray-robed maester, Maester Barlow.
"Lord Auren." Gregor replied without a smile.
His expression shifted fluidly between warmth and coldness, kindness and cruelty.
"Rosamund, get down." Aud said sternly. "How dare you act spoiled in front of Ser Gregor. He is an honored guest. Maester Barlow, take her to the rookery. It's time for her morning lessons."
"Yes, my lord." said the maester.
He stepped up to Gregor. "My lord, if I may take Lady Rosamund, she has class."
Gregor gently handed Rosamund over and gave her a soft, reassuring smile. But the girl simply huffed and turned her head away.
With her father and the old maester beside her, she suddenly found her courage.
Gregor laughed heartily.
Lord Auren remained composed, smoothly maneuvering the situation and taking Rosamund back into his household's care.
"Ser Gregor, please come to the dining hall." Aud said warmly. "You are an honored guest. It's a rare pleasure to have you here. Let us share a good drink today."
He continued with a smile, "Just yesterday I received a raven from Lord Tywin, ten days from now, your wedding to Lady Jeyne Westerling will be held at Casterly Rock. Congratulations!"
But Gregor made no move to act modestly. "My lord, just bring me a stool. I'll sit by the gate. That's enough for me."
Lord Auren was baffled by the strange request, but he dared not refuse. Gregor was favored by Tywin Lannister. People said the Mountain was somewhat unhinged from years of drinking milk of the poppy, but with his daughter now safe, Aud knew he simply had to stay cautious.
"Servants." he called, "bring fruits, wine, meats, pastries, a long table and stools, Arbor Gold from Greenshield Island, chopsticks, cups, everything, to the front gate!"
"Yes, my lord!" the servants answered at once.
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