Chapter 3. DEATH IN THE FAMILY

Three years, Tara is at Winterfell for three years. Not counting the two months she left to attend a ball held by Tywin Lannister at Casterly Rock. Her father tried to betroth Tara off to one of the other houses, but she rebuffed and insulted all suitors. Tara is now sixteen years of age. A beautiful, athletic, tall, and curvy young woman. Who looks just as good in chaps as she does in a dress. Her long black hair goes down to the top of her butt. She has a strong feminine physique that gives her an exotic look desired by many young men.

Tara is not someone to make angry, like her elder brothers she can go into a rage and not be easily bargained or appeased. But unlike Gregor Tara thinks before she acts and only spills blood if absolutely necessary. Half the year was gone and it was during this time that a raven arrived from Clegane's Keep.

To my Daughter Tara

My dearest daughter…I hope this letter finds you well. As I have unfortunate news for you… Return home as soon as possible…Your father has fallen ill and the Maester says he will not be with us much longer…

Love your mother

Adeline Clegane

After showing the letter to Lord Eddard Stark Tara and Eagen packed for Clegane's Keep. She gave a heart felt goodbye to Eddard, Catelyn, Robb, Jon, Theon, Sansa, and little Arya. Catelyn was pregnant again with whom only the gods knew.

Clegane's Keep

Jordan Clegane lay on his bed looking ill and sickly. His body was thin and his eyes sunken. "Father!" Tara runs past Gregor ignoring him and drop to her knees beside the bed.

"My baby girl…I wanted to give you away at your wedding day…Promise me that one day you will marry…"

Tara sighs, "I promise father!"

He smiles, "Now I can die in peace…"

He closes his eyes and breaths his last breath. A funeral is held and Jordan buried in the garden planted long ago by his grandmother when her husband was made a Lord. Tywin Lannister is there as well. After words are said over Jordan's body Gregor walks up to Tara and stares down on her as he is a foot taller than her.

"I am the Lord of Clegane's Keep now! I want you and that whore you call a mother out of my Keep!"

A wave of shock crosses those gathered to pay their respects to the former Lord of Clegane's Keep. Tara's eyes fill with rage as Sandor's hand falls to his sword. A roar erupts from Tara's lips, "Tara no!" Adeline yells, as Tara raises her foot and kicks Gregor between his legs. He howls in pain as Tara grabs the side of his head and brings it down to her knee breaking his nose. She leaps up sticking out both feet and kicks Gregor in the chest.

They both hit their backs at the same time. Tara raises her legs and leaps up to her feet, then she leaps onto Gregor straddling him and tries to strangle him. No one moves as the two fight on the ground. Gregor has Tara by the throat with one hand, but she has him by the throat as well. That is when Gregor grabs a rock off the ground and bashes her in the head. Tara rolls to the side bleeding and gets to her feet the same time as Gregor.

"Little bitch I will kill you!" He says drawing his sword.

"Bastard! Insult my mother like that again and I will kill you…"

Before either can attack the other Sandor steps in between them, "If you fight her you fight me!" Sandor says.

"I don't need your help Sandor! I can fight him myself…I am not afraid of him!"

"You heard the bitch brother move aside or join her in death…"

"Enough!" Sandor says.

"Your father is dead…Peace please all of you…" Eagen says speaking up. "Put away your swords! Obey me! I taught all three of you…Don't make shed the blood of my lord's children!" Eagen says.

Gregor sheaths his sword, "In honor of my father you have one week to leave…Then you die…" Gregor looks at Eagen, "And you can leave as well old man!"

That night Tara had her mother sleep in her room. She remains up all night trying to decide on a course of action. She had several marriage proposals from prominent families in the westerlands, but none of them appealed to her. She was more concerned with finding a place for her mother. And if Gregor's attitude was any inclination she could not expect him to abide by father's last wishes.

"We need our own place!" Tara said to herself, "But how and where…"

Sunrise the next day a few of the servants prepared Tara and her mother some food. The smell woke Adeline up, "Dear child have you been up all night?"

"Yes and I have come up with a plan…I sent a raven to Winterfell asking if you can stay at Winterfell until I return…"

Adeline paused in her eating, "Return from where?"

"Mereen…I…I can earn gold quickly by fighting in the arenas of Slaver's Bay…"

Adeline shakes her head and starts crying, "No…we can find another way!"

Tara shakes her head, "There is no other way…I have thought it through and my mind is made up…"

Adeline shakes her head, "Dam that Clegane stubbornness…Why not petition the King…"

Tara kisses her mother's forehead, "The King is married to a Lannister…Queen Cersei…You saw Lord Tywin yesterday…He did nothing…No my only choice is to go to Essos and fight for gold…When I have enough gold to buy or build my own castle I will return for you…"

"That could take years!" Adeline tearfully replies.

Of course the Lord of Winterfell agreed so Adeline packed to leave for Winterfell. Eagen went with Adeline as he wanted nothing to do with Gregor. "My little sister…" Sandor says standing in front of her. "A pit fighter!"

"What will you do?"

"Me I am off to King's Landing…The Queen has asked me to be personal guard to Prince Joffrey…"

They interlock arms and hug, then Sandor gives Tara a satchel of coins, "Here this is for you…"

She looks inside, "I can't take this!"

"Take it…It's yours!"

"How'd you get it?"

"I stole it!"

She kisses him on the cheek, "Thank you!" She says and mounts her horse.