The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Like her sister Catelyn, Elenya was exceptionally intelligent.

When adults say children don't understand, it's often a reflection of their own ignorance and arrogance.

A person's intelligence and maturity aren't solely determined by age!

A very clever young girl, guided by a seasoned veteran, can become incredibly formidable, even surpassing the veteran in some aspects.

*

Hoster Tully gazed at Catelyn and Elenya, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes, reminiscent of Catelyn and Lysa's childhood.

Lysa had never returned home or written a letter since marrying Jon Arryn.

Hoster knew why.

Pennyroyal.

Pennyroyal was a herb that could induce abortions in women.

Hoster had tricked Lysa into drinking pennyroyal tea, causing her to miscarry because the child in Lysa's womb belonged to Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish. This man of humble and ordinary background had taken the virginity of the Duke of Hoster's daughter, enraging the Duke.

He banished his foster son, Littlefinger, from Riverrun and deceived Lysa into drinking pennyroyal tea.

This bowl of pennyroyal tea took Lysa's child and killed the affection between Hoster and Lysa.

From then on, Lysa never returned home, cutting off all contact with Hoster.

Also, because of this bowl of pennyroyal tea, Lysa developed a habit of miscarrying later in life. With each miscarriage, Lysa's hatred for her father grew.

This was the pain in Hoster's heart.

He wanted to reconcile, but he couldn't bring himself to go out and face anyone, nor could he bring himself to say it.

Back then, Lysa was just like the little Elenya, innocent and beautiful.

Jane's beauty also reminded Hoster of Catelyn's youth.

"Jane, Elenya, would you like to stay for a few more days?"

"I would, Your Grace," Elenya said, articulate and with a sweet smile.

Hoster looked at Jane, who curtsied with a smile, "Your Grace, I must accompany my husband to King's Landing for the King's Tourney. I am willing to return to see you after the Tourney."

The Duke smiled, "I admire the ancient and noble Westerling family. Ser Gregor, congratulations on marrying such a beautiful and virtuous wife, and thank you for the hundreds of pounds of noodles and hundreds of pounds of snow salt. A pound of snow salt is worth a pound of gold, a very valuable gift, and thank you for the chopsticks."

The Mountain bowed in acknowledgement!

"However, I haven't seen your noodle machine. The Riverlands have plenty of high-quality refined flour. Westerling noodles produced here will taste even better than those from the Westerlands!"

"Your Grace, the noodle machine will be delivered to Riverrun after the Tourney, and you'll have to pay me another sum for it."

"Then what about the snow salt technology? Now that Westerling has married into House Tully, we are family. I don't want to have to ask you again after consuming these hundred pounds of snow salt. I hope the Riverlands' salt mines can produce snow salt themselves."

"I will speak to Duke Tywin about the snow salt cooperation," The Mountain replied, "Everything hasn't had the time to be discussed, and we haven't had the time to go to Duke Tywin's Casterly Rock. The news of your illness made Lord Edmure rush back!"

"Yes, I understand, plus there's the Tourney, the King's decree, who would dare disobey?"

"Yes, Your Grace, this national Tourney is also to celebrate Lord Eddard's appointment as the new Hand. Edmure's engagement with Miss Elenya has also allowed this crude man to climb to your noble family. The Mountain is deeply honored."

"Well, Edmure, I heard that your engagement with Miss Elenya wasn't honorable!" Duke Hoster's expression turned stern.

Edmure immediately turned pale. His father hated his 'promiscuity' with women the most. However, wasn't this the case with most noble youths? Many low-ranking Barons and Lords kept mistresses, and those dignified and wealthy noblewomen, wearing beautiful dresses and speaking elegant and polite words, were actually all libertines at heart.

Edmure was speechless and knelt on one knee.

"Fortunately, you corrected your mistake in time and made the right choice," Duke Hoster said.

Edmure was shocked, "No!" he blurted out.

"What?" Duke Hoster said, looking at Edmure with a scrutinizing gaze.

Edmure knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and didn't say a word.

The matter of his fake engagement had to be discussed behind closed doors with his father.

*

That night, in Duke Hoster's study.

"Did you take Elenya's virginity?"

"Yes, I saw the bloodstains on the bedsheets."

"You bastard."

"I hate guys like you the most. If you weren't my son, I would have killed you."

Edmure was speechless and knelt down with a thud, dejected.

After an unknown amount of time, Hoster slowly said, "Catelyn wrote to say that the Lannisters are making frequent moves and we should be careful."

"What did the Lannisters do?"

"I don't know, the letter didn't specify, only saying that Jon Arryn's death was suspicious, and that Bran Stark was murdered."

"The Lannisters did it?" Edmure found it hard to believe, "Why? What's their motive? If Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters, why does Catelyn know but the King doesn't? Jon was the King's foster father! If the Lannisters killed Jon to become Hand, then it wouldn't be Edmure's turn to be Hand."

"Things seem confusing. Catelyn is afraid that you will be detained in the Westerlands, so she wrote to me asking you to return quickly."

"What evidence does Catelyn have?"

"None!—Elenya's family background is still good. Although she is still young, she is very beautiful and will grow up in another year. I want to keep her in Riverrun."

"My engagement with her is fake," Edmure quickly said, "The idea was Elenya's. I... got drunk and broke into Elenya's chamber... and was caught by The Mountain and locked in the dungeon. Elenya brought milk to see me."

"Oh, this little girl doesn't know your ugliness yet. She still thinks you are a Lord—it's good that The Mountain didn't kill you on the spot. I'm surprised that The Mountain can control his temper. You must be careful of a rational and calm The Mountain."

"I'm going to King's Landing with The Mountain tomorrow."

"I won't stop you, but Elenya is willing to stay. I can see that the little girl has a small affection for you. Go and say some nice things later, saying that I like her very much and ask her to stay and keep me company. She will definitely agree."

"Father, Elenya and I... it's absolutely impossible," Edmure said courageously.

Duke Hoster sighed a long sigh, "Edmure, I won't force you, but Elenya staying in Riverrun means that The Mountain won't do anything to you at least. The Mountain's previous violent and ferocious behavior has no effect on a little girl, but he has become rational, calm, and doesn't kill indiscriminately, which is his progress, but also his bond, do you understand? It would be better if this girl was Tywin's daughter. In case something happens between you and The Mountain, or if the Westerlanders want to do something to you, we still have The Mountain's sister here."

"Father..."

"Don't say anymore, I do like Elenya very much, she looks just like Lysa when she was young."

Edmure wanted to say that Elenya and Lysa looked nothing alike when they were young, but he held back the words. Let Elenya stay in Riverrun first. He could see that his father really liked Elenya. His father thought that using Elenya to guard against The Mountain's actions to harm him was really the old man thinking too much.