Bad Dreams / Sandor Clegane

40. I Dont Believe You

" Why did you help us?" Meera questioned and Benjen pulled down his hood Bran was sucked back into a vision, his eyes white as Meera glared across the fire at Benjen.

''The Three-Eyed Raven sent for me." Benjen told her.

''The Three-Eyed Raven's dead'' Meera spat back.

''Now he lives again.'' Benjen told her. Bran startled awake as he came out of a vision. Meera moved to him.

''When I last saw you, you were a boy. A fearless boy." Benjen remarked ''Loved to climb the castle walls, frighten his mother. And were completely smitten with a princess that was set to marry your brother. But that didnt stop you from dancing with her."

''Who are you?'' Bran asked. Benjen moved closer to the fire. ''Uncle Benjen. The last letter Jon wrote me said you had been lost beyond the Wall." Bran remarked

''I led a ranging party deep into the North to find White Walkers. They found us. A white walker stabbed me in the gut with a sword of ice. Left me there to die. To turn. The Children found me. Stopped the walker's magic from taking hold" Benjen informed him

'' How?''

'' The same way they made the Walkers in the first place. You saw it yourself.' Benjen reminded him

''Dragonglass. A shard of dragonglass plunged into your heart.'' Bran remarked.

''You are the Three-Eyed Raven now.'' Benjen told him confidently.

''I didn't have time to learn. I can't control anything." Bran declared.

''You must learn to control it before the Night King comes.'' Benjen knelt before Bran and offered him a cup. ''Drink.'' Benjen instructed. ''One way or another, he will find his way to the world of men. When he does, you will be there waiting for him. And you will be ready.''

"Do you know where Amelia is? If she is still alive?" Bran asked.

"Why don't we look for her together?" Benjen offered.

+

"You know Amelia, when I was assigned to take your uncle to the capital, to trade him for the stark girls... he begged me to take you instead." Brienne remarked and Amelia stared back at her. "He said that your life was worth more, that you were worth more, that he wanted you safe." Brienne told her. "He begged me, begged me to take you home instead of himself."

"He did?" Amelia asked feeling tears in her eyes.

"He loves you very much." Brienne assured her.

"I miss him." Amelia whispered.

"I will get you back to him." Brienne assured.

"After you find sansa." Amelia added.

"You understand, she is a prisoner as you were-"

"I wasnt a prisoner with Sandor." Amelia snapped back. "He was my friend. He was my.... He protected me since I was a babe. He loves me. And I loved him."

"Amelia-"

"He does, he didnt care about Joff, but really who did?" AMelia offered. "But he did. He was going to take me across the narrow sea, he was going to get a good life for us where the Lannister and Stark name wouldnt haunt me!"

"Did he force himself upo-" Brienne began.

"NO!" Amelia spat. "He was mine. My person. Sandor, he would never hurt me. I love him he is.... he was family." Amelia told her confidently. "And you killed him."

"Amelia-" Brienne called as she stomped away.

"I got her." Podrick offered following after Amelia.

"Go away." Amelia muttered.