SANDOR CLEGANE
Sandor Clegane is the younger brother of Gregor Clegane and with Gregor dead he is now the Lord of Clegane's Keep. The two brothers hated each other. As children Gregor caught Sandor playing with his toy night. He shoved his brother's face in the flames scarring him for life. Then there was the rumors that Gregor killed their sister and also had something to do with their father's death.
Both men are great swordsman and strong, gifted killers. Tywin Lannister didn't want his two best men hacking at one another, so he sent Sandor to be Prince Joffrey's personal guard. Often referred to as the Hound, Sandor is not as cruel as his brother, but he is a killer all the same. But unlike his brother Sandor draws the line at hurting women, little girls, and babies.
Of all the people who fight for Tywin, Sandor only trusted two men. His former swordmaster Egen and a man named Darron Hill. A bastard of the Westerlands who grew up in Clegane's Keep. "There you are." Darron says running up to Sandor, "I've been looking all over for you."
"Why?" Sandor asks exiting a brothel he visited on his rest days.
"You haven't heard. Your brother is dead." Sandor smiles, but at the same time he is sad, because he always wanted to be the one who took the bastard's head.
"How?"
"Killed in his own Keep, by the Masked Dragon."
"If I could I would Knight that fucker."
"Best be careful what you say my friend. Least the wrong ears hear your words."
"I'm going hunting wanna come?"
"No…I also came to get you, because the King wants you."
"Why?"
"No doubt Lord Tywin wants you back in the west. With Gregor dead you are now Lord of the Keep."
With Darron at his side Sandor makes his way to the King's Solar. "You wished to see me Your Grace?"
"I did…Lord Tywin wants you back in the west. You are to be the new Lord of Clegane's Keep."
"Yes your grace."
"You and your brother did not get along?"
"You know that already your grace."
"If this…Masked Ass contacts you will let me know."
It is no secret that King Robert hates all Tagaryens. "With all due respect Your Grace. My brother was a horrible Knight. Unworthy of the title if you ask me. I know in my heart he killed my father and sister…My only regret is that I didn't kill that son of bitch myself. As for the Masked Dragon I owe him my thanks…You hate him because he is a Targaryen and a threat to your reign. At heart of the matter you were once a great warrior. The Young Stag who defeated three armies in one day…Now look at you."
"Be careful Clegane."
"That throne ruined you your grace."
"Get out of my sight!"
He bows and leaves that day with five men including Darron, all loyal to him. They travel with two pack horses carrying supplies. Sandor and his men take the Gold Road which crosses both forks of the Blackwater Rush. They camp in the countryside and hunt for meat when they run out. Sandor would not be welcomed at most of the Great and Minor castles they passed by and he did not care. Though he and his men did stay a night in a village to buy themselves a whore.
After three weeks of travel they reach Deep Den and cross through the mountains. On the other side is Casterly Rock. When they reach the Rock Sandor's men get settled while he goes to see Tywin Lannister. "Clegane…No troubles during your trip?"
"None my Lord."
"With your brother dead his titles and lands are now yours."
"Yes My Lord…But I feel that I must say, I am not my brother My Lord Tywin…I will serve you, but I draw the line at killing women and children. I may be a mad dog, but I do have some honor in me."
He nods, "Well say your oaths then."
"I Sandor Clegane now Lord of Clegane's Keep and all that come with it, swear to serve Lord Tywin and House Lannister. I will answer the call when it is given. His enemies shall be my enemies. His allies my allies. From this day until my last."
"I accept your vow Lord Clegane…Go home and set your house in order…I will have need of you soon."
"My Lord I have a favor to ask."
"Ask it."
"Some of the men at the Keep I know. Others are Gregor's men through and through…I would ask for some of your men to help set things in order."
"How many will you need?"
"There are two thousand men at the Keep…I know I can trust about eight hundred of them. So I'll need about twelve hundred men."
"The men you dismiss send them to me."
"My Lord." Sandor stays the night at Casterly Rock. Then in the morning he breaks his fast and heads out with twelve hundred men. A week later he arrives at his childhood home. He is greeted by the Maester, the Steward, and the captains of the House guard.
"Welcome My Lord Sandor to Clegane's Keep."
Sandor dismounts his horse. "I need a bath, some good food, and then I wish to speak with the Captains."
"As you wish my Lord."
As Sandor got settled he noticed the way the servants acted in fear. He sighs and summons them all to main hall. "Listen up! I am not my brother! Despite my reputation, you do not have to fear me. I will not punish you or threaten your lives or kill you if you make a mistake! Those days are over. Now get back to work."
After a bath and some food Sandor makes a list of names writing them in red ink with the Maester's help. "If your name is on this list then pack your shit and head to Casterly Rock. Those who make trouble on the way out will learn why I earned my reputation." Of the soldiers at Clegane's keep over eight hundred leave. These men had done despicable things in the name of his brother. Some of the men that came with Sandor decided to stay on with him.
The next day Sandor goes over the finances of the Keep. He is shocked to learn that his brother has two and half million in gold, treasures, art and jewels in an underground vault he built. "Where did all this shit come from?"
"Half of it from the sacking of King's Landing. A good portion from Lord Tywin for jobs your brother did. The rest from the small folk who live on these lands. Your brother taxed them heavily."
"Get some men and place about five hundred thousand in gold on a cart. Let me know when it its ready."
When the gold is ready, Sandor rides out with the Cart and some men to the village and gives out some gold to the people. There are five hundred men, women, and children living on his land, including the farms in the countryside. Each person gets one thousand gold Dragons. He also opens up the lands to the people for hunting and fishing for the next six months. But they must get written permission with a stamp on it and then they must report what they catch. All pelts from animals must go to Sandor.
"My Lord…Your brother had no heir. Have you considered looking for a wife?"
"You see my face? Who in the fuck would want to marry me Noble or common!"
"Well My Lord there is Walder Frey…He has numerous daughters and Granddaughters…And he is desperate to marry them off."
Sandor grunts, "I'll think about it." Two weeks later he is summoned back to Casterly Rock.
"I hear you gave a thousand in gold to each of the smallfolk on your lands." Tywin says.
"Yes My Lord. Considering what they been through under my brother's rule they disserve it."
"Don't be too generous with the smallfolk or they think themselves above their station."
"Yes My Lord."
"I called you here to set my trap for the Masked Dragon. He killed Ser Gregor and I believe he will try to kill Ser Armory Lorch as well…As such I am sending Lorch to the wall by ship with a heavy guard and you. If the Masked bastard shows himself…Kill him."
"I'm not comfortable with this My Lord…They say that fucker can do magic. And they say he can control and summon fire."
"Grab your balls Clegane…It's a bunch of cheap tricks! Now can I count on you?"
He nods, "Yes My Lord." They leave the next day. Lorch sits in a chair by a table with twelve men armed with crossbows and Sandor with his great sword. The hallway to his room is lined with twelve heavily armed men as well. There are also net traps in the room.
The ship sets sail heading North. If the Masked Dragon doesn't attack and they reach the wall, Lorch can say his vows and he would be protected. If the Masked Dragon is honorable he will not touch Lorch. The men on guard stand watch for six hours and are switched. "Do you think he will attack?" Lorch asks.
"How the fuck should I know? I ain't no damn fortune teller!" Sandor looks at Lorch, :Why you scared?"
"You would be too if you had some masked Targaryen hunting you."
"All men die Lorch. Old age, disease, by the sword. You disserve to die. Especially after what you did to that little girl." He lowers his head in shame. Six miles out to sea it starts to get cold as they pass Fair Isle. Small chunks of ice appear in the water. And Ice starts to gather around the ship and it starts to snow.
"My Lord the Captain needs you on deck."
Sandor follows the first mate up to the deck and he is dumbfounded. "Snow! Where the fuck did this come from."
"I don't know my Lord, but its getting thicker we are slowing down."
A thick sheet of ice forms around the ship and it stops. They measure the ice with a long hot piece of metal. "Its eight feet thick!" A man yells.
Sandor shakes his head. "He's here!"
"The Masked Dragon?" The Captain asks. "How do you know?" Sandor just walks away not answering, "All hands to battle stations! Take up arms!" The Captain yells.
Sandor returns to the room, "What is happening?" Lorch asks.
Before Sandor can answer ice starts forming on the walls, the ceiling, and the door. The crossbows the men carry freeze as well. They drop them and draw their swords. "By the gods its cold." Lorch says.
They start a fire as the men outside try to get into the room. "Look!" A man yells, as a pillar of ice starts to form on the floor. It is a man's shoulder length around and the mound of ice gets bigger and bigger, until it is five and half feet tall. The pillar of ice shatters and inside is the Masked Dragon. "Good afternoon gentlemen…If you drop your weapons and allow me to kill that monster I will spare your lives." He says in an echoing godlike voice.
They try to activate the net trap, but the net is frozen and it shatters when they pull the string. "That was disappointing." The Dragon says.
"You always talk this much?" Sandor asks drawing his sword. He and two other men attack the Masked Dragon. The mysterious warrior is fast, as he clips Sandor's feet and down he goes. With a whack to the head Sandor is taken out.
THE MASKED DRAGON
The blow to the head is not a death blow. And quick as a wink he hits Sandor in the head and impales the second man on his sword. "Kill'em! Kill him!" Lorch screams hiding behind the bed.
The second man who attacked with Sandor tries to cut off his hand. The Dragon releases his sword leaving it in the second's man gullet. He rolls to the third man and stabs his dagger into his foot. He is grabbed from behind as he gets to his feet. The Dragon grabs the man by the cock since his arms are pinned beneath the attackers bear hug.
He bashes the man in the face with his head, busting his mouth and breaking his nose. At the same time another Man runs at him, but he goes into a full split slipping out of the bear hug. The Dragon stretches his hand to his sword and it flies out of the gut of the man he killed into his waiting hand. Then he raises the sword over his head killing the man that is behind him.
"Do I have to kill all of you?" He asks. Two more men fall to his sword, one with a slash to the throat and the next man's head is severed. The rest drop their weapons.
"You cowards!" Lorch screams.
"Its called self-preservation Lorch. The only coward here is you…And as you stabbed my sister, Princess Rhaenys, fifty times I do so to you." The rest of the men watch as he stabs Lorch fifty times. He is alive during the whole thing and dies at the fiftieth stab. The Masked Dragon looks at the rest of the men. Then he walks over to Sandor and throws his sword to the side. "Wake up Sandor Clegane!"
SANDOR
Sandor wakes up and looks around, "Why didn't you kill me?"
"You did not stain your hands with the blood of my kin. Your brother did. And he left his cruelty upon you. Allow me to undo what he did."
He raises his hand to the side of Sandor's face, "What are you doing?"
"Be still."
The Masked Dragon's hand bursts into blue fire. "Please don't!" Sandor suppresses the urge to scream as small bits of ash is pulled from his face and his skin heals under the Masked Dragon's power. As he stands up Sandor feels his face and it is smooth and unmarked by fire. "How did you? Thank you." He is ignored and the rest of the Lannister men stand motionless and in awe. They all watch as the Masked Dragon kneels beside Lorch's lifeless body, then a dome of ice covers them and when it shatters they are gone.
The ice in the room melts quickly; and then men in the hall who had been trying to get in the whole time burst into the room. "What happened? Where is Lorch? Where is the Masked Dragon?" The Guard Captain asks. Sandor leaves the room and allows the rest to tell their comrades what happened.
The ice around the ship melts and the snow stops falling. So the ship Captain turns his ship back south towards Lannisport. Sandor waits outside of Lord Tywin's solar while he speaks with men who were in the room when the Masked Dragon attacked.
The door opens, "Lord Tywin wishes to see you My Lord."
Sandor enters the Solar and when he does Gerion and Genna gasp at his face. While Tywin and Kevan do not react. "So its true." Genna says.
"I spoke with the other men. Now tell me Clegane what happened?" Sandor tells what happened up until he was knocked unconscious. Then he picks up the story after waking back up.
"When I awoke he said that I did not stain my hands with the blood of his kin. That is why he spared my life. My brother left his cruelty upon me and that is when he healed my face. His hand burst into blue flames and it felt as if my face was on fire."
"He didn't say anything else or ask you for a boon?"
"No my lord."
"And you were that close to him and didn't rip his helm off?" Kevan asks.
"No my lord I was still a little out of it after being hit in the head."
A few days later Sandor leaves to return to Clegane's Keep. As he travels he thinks more and more about finding a wife, especially since his face is no longer scarred. He hadn't said anything, but the Masked Dragon had also taken away his fear of fire. Upon returning to his Keep he has his Maester send a raven to Lord Walder Frey of the Twins. A few weeks later a Raven returns with a reply and he leaves for the Twins in the Riverlands.
"Well I'll be damned…You must be the prettiest giant south of the Neck." Walder says.
"And you live up to your reputation Lord Walder."
He grunts and signals for his daughters and granddaughters to come in. "Here they are…Daughters, Granddaughters, and a few Great Granddaughters to choose from. I kept the prettiest ones away to save them for someone special."
Sandor looks at them, some are not so pretty and average. He stops by a tall girl, not as tall as he is, but a head above her kin with black long hair in a braid. "What's your name my lady?"
The others giggle, "Willamena Frey My Lord." She is curvy in all the right places, average looking, not ugly with blue eyes.
"Can you cook?"
"I can My Lord."
"I like chicken…Fix me a whole chicken with all the fixings."
An hour later Willamena serves him chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, cheese, and fruit with wine arbor gold. "Sit with me and eat." The food is well seasoned and to his liking. He eats most of the chicken and gives her a leg and a wing. After he eats he asks her some questions and she asks a few of him. "I'll marry Willamena." Sandor says to Walder Frey.
Three days later a feast and wedding is held. The vows are said and gifts given. At Sandor's command there is no bedding ceremony and he makes love to her that night. For a dowry, Willamena is given some silk fabrics, a cow, ten chickens, and two roosters, six ducks, 5 geese, a cow, a bull and 2 pigs. Along with five thousand in gold and silver combined. Sandor sends one of his men to buy a cart for his new wife to ride in.
His men cheer as he enters Clegane's Keep with his new wife. Sandor takes her on a tour of the two story keep. It has fifty rooms not including the main hall and vault. There is one tower, the barracks, the stables, and the kennels. He takes her to the vault last and when she sees the Vault she gasps. "My word…we are rich."
"Yes…I'll give you a hundred thousand to fix up the Keep as you will…This is your home as well."
She kisses him. "Thank you my Lord."
"Sandor."
She smiles, "Sandor…Thank you for taking me away from that place."
"Thank you for agreeing to be my wife." A few days later Sandor enters his solar and finds an object wrapped in cloth with a note on it. Congratulations on your marriage may the old and new gods bless you with many children. After reading the note he unwraps the object and gasps, because it is a freshly made Valyrian sword. The pommel as the head of a Hound and so does both ends of the cross guard. Then the sigil of his House is etched into the sword above the cross guard in gold. Sandor hated naming swords, he considered it to be stupid, but a part of him could not resist, especially since he now owned a Valyrian sword. He smiles, "Hell's Hound I name you."