The Journey We Face (A Sandor Clegane Fanfic)

You don't scare me

Nymaria's POV:
Knocking on the door awoke Nymaria from her dreamless slumber. "Come in." She rubbed her tired eyes then checked the still swollen bump on her head. The chamber door opened and in walked the lady of House Stark herself, Catelyn with a handmaiden behind her. "I came to bring supper. You've been out for hours and I'm afraid we've already eaten."

The young girl placed the warm wooden bowl on the counter next to Nymaria's bed. She wasn't hungry, but went straight for the cup of what looked like ale. "How is your head?" Catelyn questioned, taking a seat next to Nymaria. She raised her gown covered forearm to gentle bring Nymaria's head closer to her face. "How did y-" Trailing off, Nymaria was cut off by Catelyn. "Robb." The mother smiled. Damn him. Thought Nymaira. "I guess he isn't very good at keeping secrets." She chuckled, clutching the cup in her hands as she raised it to her lips. The warm liquid felt good against the dryness of her lips.

Smiling, Catelyn let her hands fall from Nymaira's face and back to her lap. Resting one hand ontop the other. " I found him speaking to Maester Luwin. He'd been asking for milk of the poppy. I figured you had gotten hurt. You were always good at that." Nymaria smirked, placing the drink back on the bedside table. Taking her legs from beneath the furs of the blanket, she began to get up from the bed to stretch. "I wish you would be more careful. Alayna would want you to be." Looking back at her aunt, Nymaria saw the sadness in her Tully blue eyes. She didn't want to remember why. "I will." She was quick to reply before excusing herself from the chamber and walked out.

Taking in the fresh air of the night, Nymaria looked up at the moon. It was shining brightly and she thought back to that day. Tears started to form in her eyes but she quickly went to wipe them away. Instead, she replaced the memories with getting something to settle her stomach as well as something to settle the thoughts.

Turning around, Nymaria was startled by the dark figure behind her. "Did I scare you again, Little Bird?" The gruff voice asked. "No." She replied as the stranger stepped out from the shadow and into the moonlit light.

"You don't have to be scary for someone to be startled when you creep up behind them." Nymaira pointed out to Sandor. He smirked as he took another sip of wineskin. Keeping his eyes on her.

"Shouldn't you be guarding your Lord, Clegane?" She crossed her arms, hoping he would leave. "He gave me leave."

"You don't scare me." Nymaira blurted. Standing up to the scarred man. This had been a tough day for her and she was in no mood to deal with his attitude. "Everyone else is. Rightfully so." Sandor's wine laced breath hitting her right in the face when he came closer. But still, she remained confident to his intimidation.

"Any person who tries as hard as you to seem fearful is really just trying to make up for the fact they are all soft under that clunky armor." Her fist clenched, not breaking eye contact. "Is that so? Who told you that shite? Your nice Septa?" He chuckled, leaving Nymaria boiling.

"Say whatever it is that makes you feel like a big man, Sandor, go ahead. But save it for someone who actually believes your bullshit." Nymaira huffed, pushing past him and storming off.

What had been on her mind prier the encounter was gone. Nymaria walked back to her bedchambers with one item in mind. She rummaged through her trunk till finally she felt the cold sensation and familiar grip of a handle. Pulling out the sword, it glistened as the moonlight reflected off of its smooth steel. She started to twirl the handle gracefully around her body. Making a quick steady turn, she swung the sword in the air. Feeling all the tension in her body drain into her various moves.

She had stayed up half the night acquainting herself with the blade once more. Practicing as her father always taught her. "Whenever you are sad, turn that energy to something that will make you stronger." He had once told her, so she did. And she wouldn't let anyone, even a man like Clegane, put her down.

I know this doesn't have much of a storyline an the dialogue is awful. But I'm making it up as I go. Fingers crossed I can try and make it better has the chapters move on. Thanks for reading :)