Chapter 14. The Brotherhood

Melisandre

Things were supposed to be different for Melisandre knew in heart that Stannis Baratheon was the Prince that was promised. But, how can he be the Prince if he is dead. After Stannis' mysterious death Melisandre traveled to Storm's End to meet Edric Storm. The seed is strong and King's blood flowed through his veins, but he is not the Prince that was promised. While in Storm's End Melisandre sneaks into Edric's room and takes a little blood from him; then she throws the drops of blood into the fire. She sees the White Wolf.

She waits until the war is over and then travels North by land. The sun is setting and Melisandre is passing the southern end of the god's eye lake; suddenly she is beset by bandits on horseback. "Traveling alone my lady?"

"The Night is Dark and full of terrors gentlemen…I am on the lord's business…"

"So are we…the business of our cocks."

They all laugh and that is when an arrow strikes the leader in the throat. The man next to him is shot in the chest. "It's the brotherhood!" They try to run, but are all killed.

"Lady Melisandre…It has been a long time." Thoros of Myr says from the back of his horse.

""It certainly has Thoros of Myr…" They take Melisandre to their secret lair in the Riverlands. "What happened? You were supposed to convert King Robert to our faith." Melisandre says as they sit around a fire eating in a cave.

"I got drunk that is what happened…Truth be told I have never believed in our god…The Priests of R'hilor kept me from slavery…So I said the words, learned what I needed to learn and came here. Robert took me…We drank as we always did…Then he died…The war happened and I ran into this one…Joined Renly's army…He seemed like he would be King. Then…" He points at Dondarrion, "…this one dies. Something came over me. I placed my hands on him and prayed to the lord of light…His chest started moving and he opened his eyes…"

Melisandre looks at Dondarrion, "When you died what did you see…"

He smiles, "Not so much what I saw, but what I heard…And what I heard I cannot speak of it…I was told to say nothing."

"So what brings you this way m'lady?"

She grunts, "I am looking for the White Wolf…I believe he is the Prince that was Promised."

"You may want to look for the three eyed Raven…" Dondarrion says speaking up. "The voice did say. When she comes and asks for the White Wolf tell her to find the three eyed Raven.

"What is the three eyed Raven?"

There is a man sitting by listening as he eats. When the three eyed Raven is mentioned he pauses. "Begging your pardon my lady…I am a Northerner. The three eyed raven is a legend of a powerful man who sees all…The past, the present, and the future…They say the animals of the land and air serve him."

"How do I find him?"

"That I donna know…But if you are seeking a White Wolf then go to Winterfell. The Wolf or rather the Dire Wolf is the Sigil of House Stark."

"I think all of us will be needed in the North m'lady…The Dead march on the wall…"

"How soon will you be ready to leave?"

"We are gathering enough food for the march North…Three more days and we will be ready…"

Sandor Clegane

As Sandor rides through the Riverlands, he is followed by a Raven. He stops at a tavern, there are a few heavily armed men and some sell-swords inside. When he enters the tavern Sandor receives a few looks from the people inside as he sits down. "Stew, bread, and some ale if you have it…"

"You're the Hound aren't you?"

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Polliver…I fight for the King same as you…We are looking for the brotherhood."

Sandor takes his cup and drinks from it, "Fuck the King!" His words cause a few heads to turn.

"I heard the King's dog had run from the Battle of Blackwater…Didn't believe it…but here you are."

"Here I am…and here you are deep in Tully lands…Fuck the King!"

They stand at the same time, but Sandor turns the table over and draws his sword. With one swing he beheads Polliver and is flanked left and right by two others. That is a man with a bow stands and fires killing the man on the right. Then a hooded man stands drawing his sword and it bursts into flames. Sandor grabs the head of the man on the left and snaps his neck. The other men are killed and Sandor freezes as the flaming sword is placed in his face.

"What's the matter Clegane you don't like fire?"

"No I don't…"

"Surrender and I will put it away…"

They chain him and place a bag over his head. For many miles they travel and then they come to a cave and remove his hood. "Thoros of Myr…" The cave is well hidden in the Riverlands; not even those who had been living in the Riverlands all their lives could find it.

"Clegane…it has been awhile…"

"Your men interrupted a fight…"

"Oh I don't lead these men."

"Then who?"

"I do!"

"The Lightening Knight…Beric fucking Dondarrion…"

"Yes and it is time Clegane…Time you answered for your crimes.

"What crimes?"

"No!" Echoes a woman's voice.

"Who the fuck is this cunt?"

"Be more respectful Clegane…"

The redheaded woman walks up to him, "You fear the fire and rightly so…Join us slayer of men."

"Why?"

She grabs his arm, "I will show you." The redheaded woman leads him to the fire. He pulls away, "Do not be afraid no harm will come to you…Look…" Sandor stares for a few minutes then he sees people and places. He sees a man of fire and light, he sees a beautiful redhead, and finally the army of the dead. "Your destiny lies with us and it is in the North…"

Sandor decides to join the brotherhood and lies on his thinking about the redheaded girl he saw in the fire. "Nonsense!" He grumbles and rolls over falling asleep. The next day Sandor is given a horse and travels with the brotherhood North.