The sunlight streamed through the trees, bathing the grass in golden light. The air was full of distance sounds as he worked, swinging the axe with precision. Thankfully the trees sheltered him from most of the heat of the sun but the work was hard and his wounds still weren't fully healed.
Pausing, Sandor wiped the sweat from his brow, panting slightly. Lowering his axe to the ground, he sat down, drinking deeply from his water skin. Slowly the sounds from the community faded away and he was left with the chirping of the birds. He recalled a certain little bird...
Her innocent face grinning as she caught sight of Joffery that first day in Winterfell. The silent resilience as she stood staring up at her father's head on the walls of King's Landing. The terror on her face as the men attacked her, pulling at her dress.
With a sigh, he pushed the memories back before they could completely overtake him. They haunt me enough in the dark. Shaking the thoughts free of his head, he stood back up, picking up the log. And it's not likely I'll ever see her again.
He began the trek back to the building site, the memories slowly slipping through his defenses. He could still see her face, that final night in King's Landing. How childlike she had looked that night, clutching her doll in her arms. I bet she's a full grown woman now.
He hadn't heard much about her since he'd recovered. He knew Stannis had lost the Blackwater, so her assurances of being safe with him had been proven wrong. After that, she'd been married off to the imp, who'd then murdered his nephew at his wedding and then fled to Essos. Then it was as if she had simply vanished off the face of the earth.
Maybe she made it back home. Or to the bastard at the wall. Either way, he hoped she had found her place in the world. A place where she was free from the cage the Lions had built around her. More likely than naught, she'd broken free of one cage just to be locked up in another.
Sandor paused, recalling the day Brother Ray had found his broken body. Brother Ray thought that there was some great power in the universe that had healed him, that he was alive for some great reason.
Sandor shook his head, a chuckle on his lips as he continued to the building site. Truth be told, he didn't know why he was alive. All he knew was that one thing had kept him company in those dark hours - one face who was his constant companion in the darkness. If he closed his eyes right now, he could still picture her face that last night in King's Landing...
Placing the log on the ground, he straightened, sighing quietly as he headed back towards the forest. He is eyes fluttered closed, and an image flashed across his mind - Sansa's brilliant blue eyes staring up at him, fiery hair cascading down her back. A small smile crossed his lips. Maybe I will see you again, little bird.