The Journey We Face (A Sandor Clegane Fanfic)

Prince Tommen

A day had passed since the arrival of King Robert, along with his Lannister family. An to be frank, it was anything but enjoyable to say the least.

It's not that Nymaira hated the royal family, but considering how much pressure she felt she was under, it didn't make it easy either.

She hadn't been able to spend nearly anytime with Sandor, for he spent his days guarding the King or the Queen.

And the rather constant affection of Cersei's youngest son Tommen, left Nymaria all the more bothered.

"My lady." Prince Tommen had broken her thoughts. "Your grace." She bowed before him, and raised her head back up. He was smiling sweetly towards her, an kindly extended his hand which held a beautiful yellow flower, one that only grew in the north.

"I found it this morning, and thought you might like it. Of course, it's beauty doesn't compare to you."

She blushed, and took the flower from his hand. Admiring it's crisp color, and soft scent.

"Thank you, your grace, I love it." She held the flower close to her chest, and smiled sweetly towards him. He was a sweet boy, handsome, and the heir to the richest family in Westeros. He was every young maidens dream. But still, Nymaira couldn't find the affection needed for her to return his.

"I was wondering, if you would like to take a stroll with me. Show me around Winterfell, the proper way." He smiled again, and she took a moment before replying. "Of course, your grace ."

They locked arms and soon were on their way, strolling through the ancient walls. "It's the heart of the north, and there's nothing like a summer snow."

"We never have that, in the south." Tommen looked around, but mostly kept his eyes on Nymaria.

"Well, you are missing out. The chill of winter meeting  the kiss of summer."

She smiled, and pulled him in every direction of the castle. She was actually having a nice time with the young boy, but then she had walked into the main hall.

"Nymaria." her father stood up from the table that sat him, Ned, and King Robert. "I'm sorry father, I was just showing Tommen around."

But her subtle smile broke, as soon as her eyes came upon Sandor. He didn't look angry, nor hurt. He simple stared at her, and she stared back, but soon their contact broke when her father stepped closer.

"Daughter, I must speak with you after we are done."

He quickly ushered the two out of the hall, and Nymaira's mind now laid heavy with what her father wished to tell her.

"My, it's so different from Kings Landing. But it really is beautiful."

Tommen kept looking around, then back towards Nymaira. "I'm sure Kings Landing has it's charms."

She looked down at the ground, still thinking of her fathers words. "I like the sea, but everyone says it smells like cow dung and sour milk." He laughed, and she returned it giggling softly.

"Either way, I'm sure it is lovely."

"Would you like to see it?" He stopped, and looked at her. "Maybe, one day."

"If your father says yes, then we would be married. And we could live there forever."

She bit her lip by his words, and tried to keep a smile.

"Would you want to marry someone you didn't know?" His facial expression changed, to a questioning one, then turned back to a happy one.

"I know you now, and we would have plenty of time to get to know each other." She was touched by his optimism, but she still felt even with time, she couldn't love him.

"We can worry about that, later." She linked their arms together, and they began their exploration of the castle.

Later on that day...

As she paced back and forth in her chambers, Nymaira began to feel sick to her stomach.

He wouldn't would he?...Please father... say no....It will all be okay...

Nymaria tried to calm her thoughts, taking deep breaths, repeating the last part in her head.

Then came a knock, and her fathers figure emerging from behind the wood.

"Come in." She ushered, and he closed the door behind him. "What did you say?" She looked at him, knowing exactly why Benjen was in the hall with the King in the first place. "

"I said the choice was yours, not mine." She smiled, feeling relief. But it was short lived once she realized the pressure was now on her.

But, still she ran, hugging her father tight. "Thank you" she smiled, and he hugged her back. "Just think everything through, take it all into consideration, Nymaira."

He cupped her cheek, and smiled before turning around and leaving "I'll make the right decision, I promise, father." He nodded, and closed the door.

It was later on that night, and Sandor laid drinking in bed. He had hoped to see Nymaira after his shift had ended, but she was nowhere to be found.

He had overheard Benjen is answer to Robert, but felt hopeless all the same.

Her picking you over a prince? Do not be such a fool. She would never care about you like that. You are a Hound, you will serve her children,
And you will never father hers.

He only drank faster, trying to drown the thoughts in the rough wine.

"Sandor?" A gentle voice came from the door, but he didn't bother to sit up from his bed.

"What do you want?" He stayed looking up at the ceiling, for his thoughts were so loud. " I wanted to see you."

Nymaira opened the door, and stood in the doorway, with her hands held together over her stomach.

"Ah, the little bird, shouldn't you be with your prince?" She could tell he was drunk.

"Shouldn't you be in one of those brothels, with Tyrion Lannister?" She smirked, but the humor stayed one sided.

"Don't tell me you are jealous again?" She walked over, and sat next to his laying figure. "Not jealous, just aware." His words were emotionless, and his eyes blank.

"I'm not going to marry him. My father gave me the choice, and I made it."

"You made the wrong one." He sat up, and threw the empty wineskin across the room, the sound vibrating against the stone.

"You are a lady of highborn blood, you belong with someone like prince Tommen." She went to grab his hand, but he pulled it back, turning his head to look her in the eyes. "And I'm not going to be the reason you regret choosing this. And you will regret it...maybe not today, but one day you will."

"I guess, I'm going to have you tell me how I feel?" Nymaria raised both her eyebrows. A little offended.

No," he began. "But this won't work. Give it a chance, you might end up loving the bastard."

Sandor knew no one could love him, want to be with him. Someone like her? It could never happen. So if she chose not to be with prince Tommen, he wasn't going to have a hand in this decision. He couldn't leave with himself if she ended up unhappy.

"I think you should leave." He looked straight, and what seemed like every line they crossed, every wall she broke, had meant nothing. "Stop thinking so low of yourself Sandor, maybe then you'd see why I feel the way I do."

With that, she existed the room and left him with nothing but the tears that started to slide down his rough cheeks.

Honestly I'm having major writers block because I have been focusing on the story in the chapters to come. So everything is even crapper then before. But has always thanks for reading :)