"Little bird…" He let his rough calloused hand reach out, slowly stroking the soft, perfect skin of her cheek. He hadn't seen her in so long, since he left Kings Landing the night of the battle. She had grown more beautiful, if it were even possible. When he had laid dying after his fight with that beast of a woman, after that little shit sister of hers abandoned him to die. He dreamt of her, of his little bird. Wishing things had been different, that she had willingly gone with him. Fuck, he should have just flung her over his shoulder and made her go. Gods knows she was light, he could have taken her easily. He thought he would die without seeing her again, but he didn't die. Instead he was saved, by of all people, a man of the Gods. Brother Ray. He found a kind of friendship in this man, and agreed to help with the construction of a new sept. Perhaps Sandor Clegane could find himself again, or a new life with this new flock. But it wasn't meant to be, his new found friend murdered by a few members of the Brotherhood Without Banners. But those bastards didn't live long, though instead of getting to gut them all as he wanted, he had to settle for a simple hanging. 'Damn that Dondarrion.'
He now found himself in the company of the Brotherhood, travelling north, a new war coming. He had no true intentions of fighting though, he knew what lied north. Winterfell. The possibility of being reunited with his little bird was there. After all, the talk was that the Starks had reclaimed Winterfell after a battle with the Bolton's, and if it were true, Sandor would give his sword to Sansa, he would never leave her side again.
"You were talking in your sleep again Clegane." Thoros grinned at Sandor as they sat by the fire, eating the latest catch before they would begin to travel again. "Who is this 'little bird' you talk to in your dreams?"
"Fuck off with that!" He spat back at the priest. He never spoke of Sansa to any of the men, not wanting to be seen as weak. After all, he was The Hound. Once one of the most feared men in the Seven Kingdoms. But he knew this one girl could be his true downfall.
"I think I struck a nerve." A chuckle came from Thoros' smug face. "Perhaps this 'little bird' is a woman?"
Sandor let out a ferocious growl as he grabbed at his axe and stood, ready to strike at the damned priest.
"That's enough Thoros, leave Clegane alone." Beric Dondarrion had just walked to the fire with a fresh skin of water. "I know the travels these past few weeks have been hard, but we need all of us alive if we are to make it to Winterfell."
"What good is a priest if we're all still alive?" Sandor muttered as he sat back down.
Beric moved to sit next to him, un-phased by his demeanor. "We should reach Winterfell before nightfall, hopefully the Starks will welcome us and give us shelter for the night. Would be nice to sleep in a bed for once." He then offered Sandor the water.
"Maybe some fuckin' wine too." He took the water, taking a greedy drink before handing it back to Beric.
"Wine clouds your judgment Clegane, we need you clear headed if we are to face the White Walkers."
Sandor spat a bit, "doesn't mean I can't drink before."
With a sigh, Beric stood. "Still the same man as before." He then turned to walk away, "we leave soon, prepare yourselves."
"Who are they? The Brotherhood without banners?" Sansa sat in the great hall with Jon who had been reading over the same letter for the past hour.
"Many say they are outlaws, the Lannister's sure hate them." He turned the letter over, like he was expecting it to change if he did so. "In a way, father indirectly created them. When he was hand of the King h had sent out a force of knights to restore peace to the Riverlands. And since they were loyal to house Stark, they became outlaws in the Lannister eyes." He smiled a bit at the thought, "now they claim to protect the smallfolk from any force that may pray on them, no matter who is in power.
Sansa frowned a bit, "but why are they coming here? What would they want from us now?"
Jon turned the letter back over, the same words still written on the parchment. "They ask for shelter for a time, claiming to have been travelling for a long time. They also claim to be marching north to join in the war against the Knights King." He then moved to rub his forehead lightly. "We need the men, but I'm not sure what to think of the Brotherhood.
Sansa placed her hand on top of Jon's as it still held the letter. "Then we welcome them, let them speak their wishes. Give them warm food, and a warm bed to sleep in for a night and send them on their way if that is what they desire." She squeezed his hand reassuringly, "they used to be fathers men, you said so yourself. I am sure they are still loyal to House Stark and will be loyal to the new King in the North."
Jon looked to his sweet half-sister, giving her a half smile. "I wish I had your faith Sansa, but I've seen men in times of war, many change." Standing to his feet, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "The Brotherhood arrives before nightfall. We best prepare." He then headed towards the courtyard, leaving Sansa alone in the great hall.
'I've seen what war does to men as well Jon...' She frowned a bit. It was almost as if he had forgotten she was there for the battle, that she was the one who brought in the Knights of the Vale.
"We thank you for accepting us here into Winterfell your grace." Beric bowed respectfully to Jon as the men each began to dismount their horses. "We had heard of your great victory and wanted to also give our full support, always being loyal to House Stark."
Jon nodded to Beric, "I thank you my lord for your kind words. I know any man my father trusted would be loyal to the end." He then turned behind him, offering his arm to Sansa. "I'd like you to meet my sister, Lady Sansa of Winterfell."
Beric gave a gracious bow before taking Sansa's hand and kissing it lightly. "My lady, it is an honor to meet you. I can speak on behalf of the entire Brotherhood when I say how sorry we all are for the terrors your family has faced."
Sansa gave a warm smile to Beric, curtsying to him. "You are most kind Ser. And most welcome here in Winterfell…" Her eyes then widened as a final rider road through the gates. He was larger than the other men, wrapped completely in furs to keep warm from the cold of the north, causing him to look almost monstrous.
Beric noticed the look on the girls face and turned to see what her distraction was. "Ah, forgive me my lady, but Clegane is not one to be punctual."
Her eyes hadn't left the large figure as he dismounted his horse, her breath catching in her throat when Beric said his name. "Clegane?"
The large figure moved forward, lowering his makeshift hood. The same dark hair fell to one side in an attempt to cover a horribly burned side of his face. His beard was fuller than the last time she had seen him, and he bore a few more scars, presumably from battles. But it was the same man she once knew, back in Kings Landing.
"Hello Little Bird…" He gave her a half smile, causing the burnt side of his lip to twitch lightly.
((( A new adventure for the SanSan world! )))
~Huggles~