The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

Confession

The following three days went by in a slow blur. Natari spent her time alone in her room. Not allowing her handmaidens or sisters in. Nor had she seen Sandor since he pulled her down from the roof. Lord Stark had requested her presence on several occasions, but she had denied him each time.

On the fourth morning, Natari was sat breaking her fast as she watched the ships float by below from her window. Her peace was short-lived when her hobbling father came barging into the room.

"You deny me again daughter!" he frowned.

"Please leave me be father," she sighed and began to pick at the food on her plate.

"You cannot lock yourself away and morn for the rest of your day's child. Your sisters need you!"

"My sisters need their parents, but they are too busy playing their own games and putting the life's of their close ones at risk. Father, what was you Lady Wife thinking taking the Imp. Does she not fear for the effect it would have on the girls down here. I plead you sort this mess out."

"How dare you speak to me like this!" Lord Stark spoke more fiercely now as his temper boiled inside.

"How dare you father. How dare you not put those girls first. I do not know what you are doing right now, but you must stop. Put your honour and duty aside for one minute and think about the girls. My sisters need their father." Natari spoke louder as she stood from the table.

"They are not your sister and I am not your father!" he snapped quickly and then instantly looked at her wide-eyed.

"What do you mean?" Natari gasped.

Lord Stark made for the exit as Natari chased after him. "What do you mean by that Ser?" she shouted and grabbed ahold of his arm.

"I cannot child. His grace has left on a hunting trip. I am needed. See to the children and pull yourself together," he huffed and pulled away from her before storming out of the room.

Natari had not imagined her world could be spun any more. Had Lord Stark really meant what he said, or was it just in anger? She had to be a Stark though, everyone said she looked just like Aunt.

"Lyanna" she gasped and placed her hand over her mouth.

Sandor had spent the last few days watching over his prince. Each day he grew more tired as he was forced to watch him treat his betrothed Lady Stark cruelly. Sansa was desperate for his approval though and followed him around like a lost little bird. After another long day, Prince Joffrey had commanded that he take Lady Stark back to her room, he had grown bored of her for the day.

"Have you spoke to your sister?" Sandor asked as they walked down the corridors.

"Excuse me?" She asked shocked at his sudden questioning.

"Natari. Does she hold up well?" He grunted trying to remember the correct manner but also not show too much care.

"I don't know. She will not see or speak with anyone. I heard my handmaidens talking about her. They were saying some terrible things," she mumbled.

"Ignore the words of cunts!" Sandor growled as he opened the little ladies door and stood aside. Sansa was in complete shock at his foul language and quickly darted into the apartment, leaving Sandor to close the door behind her. 

He knew the prince would expect him back soon, but he had some time to make a short stop on his way back to the royal apartments. When he reached the door to Natari's apartment he felt a sudden new feeling of anxiousness. Why was he here? The girl was nothing to him. Yet he still knocked and waited, and then knocked again when no one answered.

"What?" a drunk Natari spat as she swung open the door. Her eyes flew open wide when she saw who it was.

"You shouldn't be here. Did you know people saw you carrying me to my room the other night? I can hear them whisper about me as they walk down the corridor. There goes the dog's bitch!" she laughed as she walked back into the room, leaving Sandor stood in the open doorway.

"Enough of that," he grunted as he pulled the bottle away from Natari who had just picked it up from the side.

"Why, why the fuck not? Hell the more I have the better chance you have," she laughed coldly again. "Don't think I don't know. You stare at me all day. Stop me from jumping to my death. You were even the first one to help me when those outlaws attacked us on the Kings Road. All men are liars and I know you don't do it for nothing!" she continued on as Sandor closed the door and silent stood by the wall.

"You know, you were the reason Jory left me that night after the tourney. He didn't like the way you looked at me, or the way I looked back. So come one Hound, have out with it. Why are you here, or more importantly, what do you want?" She had moved awkwardly close to him now as she hissed the last sentence and poked him in the chest.

"Are you done girl? Feel better now getting that all of your chest?" he growled at her and took her wrists in his hand. "Or is there more, come on, let's hear the worst you have. COME ON!" he shouted and shook at her wrists as she began to cry.

"Fucking hell," he grumbled when he realised she was crying and let go of her wrists as she fell forward onto his chest and placed her head on him.

"My father just told me I am not his daughter, that the girls are not really my sister," she whispered into his chest and slowly picked at the nubs on his armour.

"Girl, GIRL! Look at me girl!" he growled again and grabbed hold of her shoulders. "You never repeat that girl. Never. To no one. Not even your sisters!" 

Natari slowly moved back from the man and nodded her head. Sandor stayed still as he watched her walk back into her bedroom. He would not follow her in there so he quickly left and returned to the Prince.