Out of the woods // Ned Stark

19. To The HOUND

'Good Lord who is that?' Sansa questioned Petyr as the competitors in the tournament rode forward. Maelia sat down next to her, petyr looked her over, he thought he was being discreet but Maelia snaped her head around and stared at him he turned his attention forward again.

'That is ser Gregor Clegane they call him the mountain.' Petyr told her 'the hounds older brother'

"Oh, my buddy Sandor." Maelia corrected.

'And his opponent?' Sansa asked.

'Sir hugh of the veil,' Petyr told her as both opponents came forward bowing before the king 'he was Jon Arryn's squire'

'Where is Arya?" Maelia questioned looking around.

"Her dancing lessons.' Sansa said bored.

'Yes yes enough of the bloody pomp,' Robert said 'have at it,' he said leaning lazily back in his chair. Both riders took their places at the opposite end of the jousting arena the horn blew and both men took off their jousting spears pointed at each other's faces. They missed, they turned around to begin again this time however Gregor did not miss. His lance speared Ser Hugh in the throat and he came colliding to the ground. Blood spewed from his neck as part of the lance was lodged in his throat he spewed for breath before he breathed his last. Ser gregor stood victorious as ser hugh was carried away.

"If I knew it was like this I would have been on time." Maelia remarked leaning back against the bleacher behind them.

'Not what you were expecting?' Petyr asked and sansa shook her head. 'has anyone ever told you the story of the mountain and the hound?' He glanced back at sandor. 'a lovely little tale of brotherly love.' Sansa glance back at Sandor as well 'the hound,' Petyr went on, Maelia shook her head, Sandor was a person, more so than herself and just because she got to hide what made her different and he didn't... it didn't seem right.

'-was just a pup six years old maybe Gregor a few years older but he was already getting a bit of a reputation some people said that the boy was just born with a talent for violence. One evening Gregor found his little brother playing with a toy by the fire Gregor's toy. A wooden knight. Gregor never said a word he just grabbed his brother by the scruff of his neck and shoved his face into the burning coals held him there while the boy screamed, and his face melted...' he smirked over at a scared sansa. 'There aren't very many people that know that story'

'I won't tell anyone I promise.' sansa assure shim slightly terrified

'No please don't.' Petyr said 'if the hound so much as heard you mention it I'm afraid all the knights and kings landing would not be able to save you.'

'You thrive on others pain don't you?' Maelia remarked calmly still leaning back, her legs outstretched and her ankles crossed. Petyr looked over at her confused. 'You do. Most men who like to belittle others, bring up their own trauma were not loved right as a child and it turned them sour. I assume you will never find love because you thrive on fear.' Maelia spat and Petyr stared at her baffled. "I find men, women, everyone really likes to torment others when they are... lacking." Maelia went on and Sandor's focus shifted as Maelia sat up. "Sandor is a very large man, I'm sure there is nothing little about him. Yet you... they call you little finger."

"my lady-"

'Leave sansa alone, leave Sandor alone as well.' Maelia instructed. Ned sat down Next to Maelia nudging petyr out of the way.

"I love when you yell at the locals.' Ned whispered. 'Very sexy.' He added a purr in her ear, a blush pulled at her cheeks.

"He is a dick and I don't like him tormenting my friend." Maelia said glancing back at Sandor. He almost smiled over at her.