A/N: Welcome back my lovely readers! This chapter was a difficult one to write. I have had this idea in my head for a long time, but couldn't get it just right. It took a long time, but I am happy with how it turned out. This is also the longest chapter of the story so far as my apology for taking so long to post it. Without further ado, here is a new exciting chapter. Happy reading Thank you to all the follows/favorites/reviews. I do not own anything except this plot, Borin, and Elgard (I also included something new I do not believe currently exists in the GoT world…you will see).

Catelyn watched from a short distance away as Sansa browsed the finely woven shawls for sale in the midst of the festival Ned had allowed to happen. He had confided in her his concern over permitting the planned celebration to continue with Elgard and his men on the run, but decided it was best to continue on to show the North the Starks would not be ones to hide behind their high stone walls. Just as a precaution, Ned added extra men in those places he found to be most vulnerable and she was grateful for it.

Her smile at watching her eldest daughter's giddiness over the newly discovered silk scarves turned into a frown as she saw The Hound walking in her direction. Of course he has to get in the way. Catelyn was reluctant to agree with Ned that Sandor Clegane made an exceptional sworn shield. However inappropriate she found his familiarity with Sansa, he did keep a careful eye on her. Regardless, she still intended to let him know his place on occasion, but this was not the time. Catelyn did not want to be the cause of any distress to her daughter when she was obviously having a good time.

She must have been staring too long, as her eye accidentally caught those of The Hound. Oh no. Much to her chagrin, he walked up next to her and leaned his back against a pole belonging to one of the stalls. He crossed his arms across his chest and turned his attention back to Sansa. Catelyn felt her face must have expressed what she was thinking as he began to talk to her.

"No need to be so absolutely terrified of me, Lady Stark. I'm not a dog that bites."

"There is no fear of that, I assure you. Rather your unexpected presence is what startled me. It is not like you to abandon my daughter's side for even a moment."

He laughed and took a small wine skin from his belt, using his thumb to push open the stopper. His eyes were still on Sansa. "I try to give her space when I can. She is still close enough where I can see her." Surprisingly, his voice was very calm without a hint of his typical abrasiveness. He took a long swig of the wine and tied it back in place when he was finished.

Catelyn pointed to the wine skin, catching The Hound's attention. "Is that really wise at this time?"

"A drink here and there keeps my head clear. I am not a green boy drinking for the first time and I know when to stop."

It was true. Since he had arrived with Ned and Sansa, Catelyn had seen him drinking, but never to the point where he was drunk. At least he has some sense in him. "Then why are you carrying that thing around with you when there is plenty of wine to buy today?" Curiosity got the better of her and she had to ask.

"That's all piss water if you ask me. If it's all the same to you, I prefer the vintage from your husband's cellars and don't have to pay a penny for it."

Catelyn clenched her fists in her hands, trying not to allow The Hound to get under her skin. Her eyes found Sansa once more, but her back was turned to them and the hood of her cloak pulled up over her head. Thankfully she can't see my frustration. Before she could let The Hound know exactly what was on her mind, Sansa began to quickly walk away, her light blue cloak making her stand out as she swerved around other people.

"Sansa?" Catelyn called out, but her daughter did not turn around and actually began to pick up her pace.

The Hound was already starting forward to go after her.

"Lady Sansa," he called out. Several people stopped to look at him, but not the person whose attention he sought.

The Hound glanced behind him and shared a concerned look with Catelyn. No words needed to be spoken. They both began to walk after her and quickened their pace when Sansa rounded a corner. The crowds were thick and The Hound was pushing past people when a chilling scream pierced the air. It was a woman's voice. It was Sansa. Before her eyes, The Hound turned into the man feared throughout the realm, pulling his sword out of its sheath and he glanced in Catelyn's direction. "Come with me, Lady Stark."

At the sight of the unsheathed sword, people cleared the way for The Hound. After turning the same corner Sansa did and a couple of long strides later he had caught up to her. Catelyn was slightly out of breath as keeping up with her daughter's sworn shield was no easy task. If she screamed, why is she still running away? Just as she rounded the corner herself, The Hound laid a hand on Sansa's shoulder and spun her around.

"Just what are you playing at Lit—," he began, but stopped short when the hood of the cloak fell and revealed the face of an unknown girl.

The Hound growled and grabbed the girl by the throat and she clawed at the hands that held her, but they would not release. Panic began to spread through Catelyn's body.

"What in Seven Hells are you doing with the Lady Sansa's cloak?"

There was silence from the girl.

"Answer me, damn you! I'll gut you alive you filthy wench if you don't—"

"Clegane!" Catelyn called out, hoping that using his given name would stop him. It did indeed cause him to stop, but he still held the girl in a hard grip.

"You're choking her. We need to find my daughter now, but we can't do that if you kill this poor girl."

Sandor glared at Catelyn and she returned it, just as fierce and determined as he was. He released his grasp and the girl instantly took in a long breath of air, falling to the ground. Armed Stark men began to run past them as the sound of steel against steel was heard only yards away. Oh Gods, Elgard's men.

In just a single moment, what had once been a celebration turned into a fighting pit. Women and children ran to take cover while men grabbed whatever could be used as a weapon and joined the Stark soldiers. Sandor had been briefly distracted, but turned his attention back to the imposter Sansa.

"Tell me now!"

The girl coughed, and looked up at the man towering above her.

"I'm sorry, m'lord. They paid me to take her place. Please, m'lord, don't kill me. My family needed the money and I was desperate—"

Sandor cut her off with a wave of his hand and turned towards Catelyn. "Stay close to me. I won't let any of those craven bastards get to you, but we have to find Sansa."

Without a second thought to the girl, Sandor turned and began to walk in the opposite direction of the fight. Catelyn stood to his side, determined to keep up even though her thick skirts threatened to slow her down.

"If I were Elgard, I would take Sansa away from all the fighting. It's only a distraction," he said out loud.

They walked quickly though a lane surrounded by temporary stalls, eyes darting from one side to the other, hoping to catch a glimpse of something. When they neared the end of the lane, Sandor paused suddenly and held his hand up to his head.

"What's wrong?" Catelyn asked, actually surprising herself over her concern. Well, he IS trying to locate my daughter after all.

"Nothing. Just a bit light headed is all." He stood up a bit straighter and listened. Pointing in front of them, he exclaimed, "There, just up ahead."

Catelyn listened and sure enough heard muffled shouts and the clang of sword against sword. This caused them to quicken their pace. Upon exiting the lane and into a courtyard of sorts, both Sandor and Catelyn could see Sansa at the opposite end backed into a corner, gagged and struggling to free herself from the man who restrained her. There were three Stark men dead on the ground, but Elgards's dead outnumbered them. Catelyn looked towards the source of the clashing swords and saw Captain Janier fighting off the last of Elgard's men. There were two of them and she was surprised to see Janier was easily defeating them. He was covered in blood and seemed to favor his left leg.

When he looked up and saw Sandor and Catelyn, his smile was bright and with a single swing of the sword Janier took out the two men. They fell to the ground, now dead, blood flowing from their open wounds. Janier wiped his sleeve across his face, smearing the blood more so than wiping it away, and turned to the man holding Sansa.

"You can see you are defeated! Let Lady Sansa go."

Janier began to walk forward and Sandor followed, but they both stopped when the man pulled a knife and held it to Sansa's throat. Catelyn began to panic and gasped, but when she saw the look in her daughter's eyes she dropped her hands from her mouth and just stood in confusion. Sansa was remaining perfectly calm and her eyes were locked on her sworn shield. Catelyn turned to Sandor and saw he returned the look and swore she saw him slightly nod his head. What is going on?

"Let her go and I'll make sure you have a quick death." Sandor was remaining very calm, unlike his outburst with the girl just moments before.

"I don't think that's the greatest of ideas, dog. I release her, you let me walk out of here. Or, I can cut her throat right here, right now and just disappear. Either way, I get out of this."

Sandor growled. "You're not very smart are ya? The only way in or out of this courtyard is this lane behind me and to get there you'd have to walk past me. You think I won't stop you?"

The man began to panic and held the knife even tighter against her throat. Catelyn was watching her daughter during the entire exchange and her eyes never left Sandor, but then she caught it. Sansa briefly shifted her eyes and Catelyn looked in the same direction. Janier was standing a lot closer to the man then he was before. The man holding Sansa saw the shift of Catelyn's gaze and turned in a panic towards Janier.

This action caused him to release his hold slightly and Sansa took the opportunity to elbow her captive in the chest. The sudden impact made him gasp and the arm that held her to him dropped, allowing Sansa to push away the hand that held the knife and she ran in Janier's direction. The man realized what was happening and turned back towards Sandor. Only this time, he was without his human shield.

"Wait!" he called out, but it was too late. Sandor had thrown a knife at the man and it sunk deep into his chest. Another man was added to the list of Elgard's dead.

Catelyn watched the entire exchange in shock and was brought back into the moment when Janier and Sansa ran to them.

"Clegane, we have to get the ladies indoors. We don't know how many more of Elgard's men are out there."

Sandor nodded in agreement and turned to Sansa. "Are you alright to keep going, Little Bird?" His voice was once again calm.

"Yes, I am perfectly fine. Mother, are you hurt?"

My sweet girl, always caring for others. "Do not worry about me. What matters is that you are safe."

"Less talking," Sandor interrupted, "We have to get out of here."

With Sandor leading and Janier taking the rear, the four of them exited the courtyard and into the lane where they were met with Ned and 15 of the Stark bannermen. Ned rushed forward and Catelyn caught his eye. Thank the Gods he made it through alright.

"What happened?"

It was Janier who spoke. "An attempted kidnapping, Lord Stark. Elgard."

"That was a bold move, but luckily they did not succeed. Cat, Sansa, you are unhurt?"

Sansa nodded and Catelyn walked up to her husband and linked her arm through his. "Yes, thanks to Janier and Clegane."

Ned looked between the two men. "We will discuss what happened later, but for now let's move. Borin has taken it upon himself to round up the last of Elgard's men and the ladies aren't safe here." With a nod of this head, the bannermen surrounded Catelyn, Sansa, Sandor, and Janier. Sansa took a place by Sandor's side and Catelyn was about to ask her daughter to walk with her when Janier interrupted her thoughts.

"Lady Stark, seeing as Lord Stark is leading the men, allow me to be your escort." Catelyn nodded in agreement, but was upset her husband couldn't stand by her side instead. Ned wouldn't have it any other way. Duty calls.

The men all had their swords drawn, ready for an attack. They hadn't walked more than 100 yards when Sandor stumbled. The group paused and looked in shock that the fearsome Hound had taken a misstep. Sansa glanced up at him pleadingly and asked, "Sandor, what's wrong?"

Ned made his way back, anxious that they keep moving. "What's the problem, Clegane?"

"Nothing," he replied, but did not sound like himself, "it's nothing. Must've been a rock or other piece of shite."

Ned nodded his head and looked back at his wife, questioning her with his eyes. There was nothing on the ground to trip on, but he did notice the near empty wine skin. Typical. I told him he should not have been drinking so much. He could have put all of our lives in danger.

It was a long walk back to the gates of Winterfell as everyone was on edge, unsure as to what or who they would meet. Catelyn would sneak glances towards The Hound, trying to ensure he wouldn't try anything or have another mishap in his drunken state. She was relieved when they entered the great hall and the bannermen took watch outside. At least now we are safe and this issue can be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

Borin was already waiting for them, seated at one of the long tables and having a drink with his plate of bread and cheese.

"Ah, Lord Stark. Thank the old gods and the new you are all safe." He stood and walked over them. "I was able to capture four of the men before they escaped. They are currently sitting in separate cells waiting for your judgement."

"Thank you for your assistance, Borin. They can wait until tomorrow I think. For now, my family needs to rest. Where are the rest of my children?"

"Safe. Robb ensured they all got back to their own rooms and has placed guards throughout the halls for added protection. That lad Gendry helped as well. The Lady Arya put up a nasty fight, though."

"Aye, that she would. Now if you would excuse us, I have an urgent matter I must discuss with Lady Stark, the Lady Sansa, and Clegane."

Catelyn could see the look of disappointment in Borin's face. She knew how he felt about Sansa, but could not believe he would be so upset about not spending time with her after what just happened. The disappointment quickly vanished and his normal façade of ease reappeared. He bowed slightly and started to walk the length of the great hall towards the large door. As he passed The Hound, the two glared daggers at each other until Borin uncharacteristically stopped and stared in shock.

Sandor was noticeably uncomfortable, but it wasn't because Borin was staring at him. As he turned towards Ned, Catelyn could see what caused Borin to stop. Blood was dripping from The Hound's nose and Sandor brushed some of it away with his fingertips. He looked down at his hand and started to say something.

"What the—," but he never finished his thought as he collapsed to the ground. He started to violently shake and white foam formed at the corners of his mouth. Catelyn stepped back in horror as Ned shouted at Borin to get Maester Luwin. Sansa screamed and ran to Sandor's side.

"Father, what is happening? What's going on?"

Ned was kneeling on the ground, trying to hold Sandor still to prevent his thrashing from causing injury, when he turned towards Catelyn.

"Cat, take Sansa. Take her or she could get hurt."

Catelyn stepped forward and grabbed her daughter's shoulders, pulling her up and away, but Sansa never took her eyes off of The Hound.

After several minutes, Borin came running into the hall with Maester Luwin following close behind.

Borin knelt on the other side of The Hound and mimicked Ned, trying to keep the man still.

"I told your Maester everything I saw. He may have an idea as to what caused this."

Maester Luwin knelt beside Ned and felt The Hound's forehead. "He is burning with fever. You say this came on suddenly?"

"Yes. His nose started to bleed as soon as I passed him and then he just collapsed."

"Wait," Catelyn interrupted, "earlier today, before we were attacked, he complained of being light headed and then stumbled as we were coming back. That can't be coincidence."

"No," Maester Luwin agreed, "I do not believe it is a coincidence." He then looked The Hound over with his eyes until he stopped on the wine skin attached to his belt. Quickly untieing it, the Maester flipped open the stopper and pulled a vial from his robes. He poured the contents into the wine skin and foam immediately came pouring out of the opening.

"It is just as I suspected. Poison."

Ned turned towards him and asked, "What kind of poison does this?"

"Fire blood."

Catelyn had never seen her husband so terrified and shocked her entire life. "Are you sure? It is too fast."

"I am sure. My assumption is that whoever gave this wine skin to him wanted it to work fast and overdosed."

Sansa stepped forward and started to talk, trying to keep her voice level and clear, not wanting to show the panic that was rising. "Fire blood, what is that?"

It was Borin who answered her. "Fire blood is a rare poison found mostly in Essos. I have only ever heard of it. Thought it was only a myth until now. It is a slow working poison that is given to the victim over time. At first, it makes the victim appear to have a slight cold. As more of the poison is consumed, the cold gets worse and worse. Then you break out in a fever, only the fever never goes down. After 5 days, it gets to the point where your blood begins to boil inside your body and it kills you. By then it is too late."

Sansa went completely pale. "No, you don't mean—"

Maester Luwin answered the question only Sansa was vocalizing. "He was given the full dosage all at once and is now in the final stages."

Sandor opened his eyes at that point and frantically tried to right himself, but Ned and Borin held him down. He growled in anger and his cries echoed in the large room. When he looked towards Sansa, Catelyn could see his eyes were bloodshot and sweat dripped down his forehead. The poor man. However much I disliked him, he did not deserve this.

"What about an antidote?" Sansa asked frantically.

It took a moment for Borin to look at her, pain written on his face. "There isn't one."

A/N 2: Oh no! Sorry to leave you hanging, but you know how much I love cliffhangers