Picture to Burn // Sandor Clegane (2)

3. Cleanse

Joffrey's name day celebration was in full swing at the castle. A man was currently having wine pour down his throat to the point of choking Joffrey was smiling maliciously. Avalon sat and stared at the parchment in front of her. Led in hand but no strokes on the page still.

'You can't!' Sansa sputtered

'What did you just say? Did you just say I can't?' Joffrey questioned

'I just mean that would be bad luck to kill a man on name day.' Sansa clarified.

'Some sort of peasant superstition.' Joffrey muttered brushing it off. Avalon glanced over at them. She was supposed to be drawing Joffrey all day, remaking the castle in his image but he was awful. She saw that. She saw how awful he was and she couldn't believe she ever though he had goodness in him.

'No the girl is right,' Sandor told him 'what a man sows on his name day he reaps all year.' Thank God for Sandor, Avalon thought.

'Take him away I will have him killed tomorrow, the fool.' Joffrey said as the man was thrown to the ground spewing out the wine that was forced down him.

'A fool, you are so clever.' Sansa told him 'he would make a much better fool than a knight, he does not deserve the mercy of a quick death.'

'Did you hear my lady? from this day you will be my new fool.' Joffrey decreed.

'Thank you your Grace and you my lady thank you.' He said bowing before them nervously. Avalon tapped anxiously on her sketchbook, little dots of led scattered the page.

'Beloved nephew' Tyrion said approaching 'we looked for you on the battlefield you were nowhere to be found.' Tyrion remarked pouring a glass of wine. "Ah Avalon, I'm sure you missed this handsome face." Tyrion remarked with a wink.

'I've been here ruling the kingdom's.' Joffrey said pompously.

'And what a fine job you've done...' Tyrion turned to his younger niece and nephew. 'look at you more beautiful than ever and you, you are going to be bigger than the hound but much better looking,' Tyrion said talking to Marcella and Tommen. 'he doesn't like me,' tyrion said to Bronn, motioning to Sandor.

'I can't understand why...' Bronn said standing next to Sandor. "Hey pretty, you the artist?" Avalon nodded. Sandor practically growled at Bronn.

'Well,' Tyrion took a step back 'I wish I could stay and celebrate but there is work to be done,' Tyrion informed Joffrey. "A blank page?" Tyrion questioned. "You really do need me." Tyrion mused.

'Work? what work? why are you here?' Joffrey questioned.

+

Avalon stared at her books, filled to the brim with pictures, portraits, all the colors of the rainbow to the darkest of blacks. She grabbed a handful of them bringing them out to the fire. Bronn stared back at her as she stood next to the fire, gnawing at her lip she focused on the fire. Then her gaze drifted to her books. Avalon let out a deep shaky breath as she threw them in. Bronn opened his mouth to say what the fuck are you doing little lady but Avalon closed her eyes and felt the warmth of the fire growing as it consumed the parchment.

''Avalon!'' Sandor declared pulling her back from the fire he reached out for her note book but the flame was too hot. ''Gorgeous what are you doing?'' Sandor questioned turning her around.

''It's a cleanse Sandor.' Avalon told him simply. ''I'm starting over. I don't need those anymore.''

''Burn your art though?'' Sandor questioned running his hands along her arms. ''Baby thats your work your passion. You love all your pictures.''

''Its just parchment inks, led and paint. Just another picture to burn.'' Avalon remarked grimly.

''Avalon. Are you alright love?'' Sandor questioned kissing her cheek.

''Yeah. I feel better.'' Avalon admitted.

''Well I feel like shit.'' Sandor told her. ''You and fucking fire.'' Sandor grumbled holding her to him.