Out of the woods // Ned Stark

20. Silent Angst

'Does ser hugh Have any family in the capital'

'No.' Ser Barriston said as ser hugh was sewn back together after a joust went through his neck at the tournament 'I gave a vigil to him last night he had no one else.'

'He never wore this helmet before.' Ned noted

'Bad luck for him going against the Mountain.'

'Who determines the draw?' Ned questioned

'All the knights draw straws.' Barriston told him.

'Who holds the straws? You've done good work sisters,' ned said as they cleaned up the dead knight.

'Life is strange not so many years ago we fought as enemies at the trident.' Barriston remarked.

'I'm glad we never met on the field Ser barriston.' Ned remarked.

'You are too modest I've seen you cut down a dozen red knights.' Barriston informed him.

'My father once told me you were the best he's ever seen. I never knew the man to be wrong about matters of combat.' Ned told him

'He was a fine man, your father... bad business with the mad king though it was a terrible crime.'

'That knight was a squire up until a few months ago... how can you afford a suit of armor?' Ned questioned as they walked.

'Perhaps his Lord had left him some money? I heard that the king wants to joust today.' Barriston remarked.

'That will never happen.' Ned remarked

'The king tends to do what he wants.'

''If the king got what he wanted all the time we would still be fighting a rebellion.' Ned told him

"Sandor?" Maelia pretended to knock on the tent opening as she entered.

"You are something else Maelia." Sandor remarked swatting away the healer. "Fuck off I'm fine." He hissed.

"Nasty cut." Maelia remarked. "Does it hurt?"

"I've had worse." Sandor told her. "Hey thanks for... earlier with Little finger." Sandor said softly as Maelia grabbed his hand, she felt so much pain, she drew it out of him, thick black veins appearing on his arm and fading into her own.

"He seems a cunt." Maelia remarked with a small chuckle. "And like I said, you are my friend."

"I don't have friends." Sandor corrected.

"Care to change that statement?" Maelia offered. Sandor stared back at her, he felt better, he felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted off him. Maelia's face pinched, he had so much pain. She let go of his as she stood up, letting out a shaky breath as her body recovered from taking on his pain.

"Look, I don't like many people. The starks are family, I love them I would kill for them but everyone else..." Maelia shrugged.

"But you like me?" Sandor questioned.

"Your love of the wolves is what drew me to you." Maelia remarked.

"I worked in the kennels before." Sandor informed her.

"You have a gentle touch with them. I can see it." Maelia informed him.

"I heard the wolves got away." Sandor remarked. Maelia nodded. "You care about the pups to."

"They are family. I wasn't about to let that blonde bitch kill my family." Maelia assured.

"What did you do?" sandor questioned.