The wind was howling, making it feel even colder than it was. The sight of the farm in the distance covered in snow, was hope of a welcome respite from the shitty weather. Sandor Clegane, along with Thoros of Myr, Beric Dondarrion, and several other members of the Brotherhood Without Banners had decided to ride towards the farm, despite there being no smoke from the chimney. Of course, Sandor knew why there was no smoke from the chimney, because there was nobody living in the house. It had been empty for years. Sandor knew that because he had been here before.
"Bad night to be outdoors." Thoros of Myr observed.
"You've got real powerful magic to figure that out. Did the Lord of Light whisper that in your ear? It's snowing, Thoros. It's windy. It's gonna be a cold night." Sandor said, sarcastically.
"You're a grouchy old bear, aren't you, Clegane? You want some rum?" Thoros held out a skin of rum to him.
"Don't like that shit. It's too sweet." Sandor shook his head.
"Why are you always in such a foul mood?" Thoros asked.
"Experience." Sandor replied as the horses came to a stop.
"This seems like a good place to spend the night." Beric said as they all stared at the farmhouse.
"These people don't want us here." Sandor tried to urge them away.
"Seems deserted to me. No livestock. No smoke coming from the chimney." Beric urged his horse onwards, and the rest of the Brotherhood followed.
"I don't like the look of it." Sandor shook his head, he knew this place and he didn't want to see it again.
Thoros got down from his horse. "For a big, hard man, you scare easy."
"I'll tell you what doesn't scare me: bald cocksuckers like you. You think you're fooling anyone with that top knot? Bald cunt." he spat at Thoros.
Thoros smiled. "Come on. Maybe they've got some ale hidden away."
"They don't." Sandor sighed, but nobody was listening.
Some of the Brothers walked inside the farmhouse, followed by Thoros, while Sandor waited just outside, not wanting to go in. "See if there's a larder. They always leave something behind." Sandor heard Thoros suggest. He heard the sound of crockery and pans being moved, so he walked inside, Beric followed him.
The first thing Sandor saw was two skeletons in the corner, one adult-sized and the other child-sized. "How do you think it ended for them?" Beric asked.
"With death." Sandor huffed, a sadness and a touch of deep-rooted guilt crept into him.
"Girl died in her father's arms. Both of them covered in blood and a knife at their feet. I'd say they were starving. And rather than letting his little girl suffer, he ended it for both of them." Beric said sadly.
"Doesn't matter now." Sandor shook his head.
"No, doesn't matter now." Beric said sadly as Sandor sat at the table and Beric joined him. Sandor bit into a hunk of bread he'd took out of his saddlebag, it was almost frozen. At the other end of the room, Thoros was starting a fire in the fireplace.
"I've known you a long time, Dondarrion." Sandor chewed.
"Aye. I think the first time we met was at that tournament..." Beric began.
"And I always thought you were dull as dirt." Sandor nodded, Beric chuckled. "You're not bad. I don't hate you. Don't like, but you're not bad."
"Thank you, Clegane. That warms the heart." Beric smiled.
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Seven Dreams One Kingdom
FanfictionHer breath laboured. With her death, House Stark would disappear, none of her living siblings could bear children, the others dead. The only Stark left was in exile, nobody had heard from him for five years. Her throat constricted as the darkness en...
