The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

Goodbye

"Oh, sister! Did that monster do that to you?" Sansa gasped at Natari's neck the next day as they walked through the royal gardens.

"It's fine sister," Natari mumbled and tried to think of something to change the subject.

"Natari may I have a quiet word?" Lord Varys suddenly announced from behind them.

Natari had never really spoken to the Lord before but knew he was not a man to put too much faith in. Nodding at Sansa to continue on with her handmaids she walked over to the Lord.

"Frightfully terrible thing the King has made you do. Tell me, did the hound hurt you badly?" He asked gently.

"Nothing I cannot handle your lord," Natari spoke back uninterestedly.

"Your father is a good man, I think there is a way we can stop our King from placing his head on a spike, but I need your help," Lord Varys got right into it.

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because the Kingdom needs men like your father and the Kingdom is my only priority," he smiled again.

Natari did not know what to make of his words but found there would be no fault in at least listening to them.

"I can take you to your father tonight, but you must keep this as a secret. If you can try and convince him to declare Joffrey as the rightful heir to the crown I believe he will take mercy and allow him to take the black."

"That boy has no mercy," Natari spat back angerily.

"Yes, but you saved his mother and she has a soft spot for you. She will convince the boy to do it. So will you help your Lord Father?"

Natari looked around before quickly nodding. "Wonderful, I'll come for you late at night. Wear dark clothes with a hood and tell no one," he smiled before turning away.

Later that night as the sounds of sleeping men filled the castle Lord Varys lead Natari down into the dungeon.

"Father?" she gasped once the paid off guard opened the door to his cell and she ran over to him.

"Nat? What are you doing here child? I told you to take the girls and run!" he hissed in pain as he moved to hug her.

The smell of him was terrible, he looked at though he had not eaten in days and was as pale as a ghost. "I was locked away. Arya was able to escape though. No one knows where she is, Sansa is safe for now as well," Natari explained.

"The guards taunt me, tell me you are to marry the Hound?" he grimaced.

"Aye it is true, but he will not hurt me. Please do not worry over me. Father, I must plead with you though. I have good word that if you declare the boy the rightful heir you will be allowed to live and spend the rest of your days at the wall. It would ensure Sansa's safety and help Robb in finding Arya".

"And what about you, I raised you, you are my child too," he grunted.

"Yes, and you taught me well. I can deal with whatever they throw at me, once they let you take the black, we can all probably go home. The boy will have no use for us. Please, father, please."

Lord Stark simply nodded and then pulled her close towards him. "I should have listened to my smart girl" he whispered with almost a chuckle.

Lord Varys stepped into the cell and quickly threw a parcel of food down. "I'm afraid we must leave now," he spoke gently.

Lord Stark nodded and kissed his daughter on the cheek before they both left him in the dark cell.

The next morning everyone was gathering at the steps of the Septa. Natari stood next to her sister who was then stood by the Queen. Sandor was standing behind them, as still as a statue whilst the King walked back and fourth waving at the growing crowd below.

A large group of the Kings Guard brought Lord Stark onto the steps and placed him on his knees. Natari looked at her father with hope, he, in turn, looked back at them and then quickly at the statue of Balor The Blessed. Natari quickly looked in that direction, that was when her heart sank. It was Arya dressed almost like a common boy. She was clinging onto the statue's leg when a familiar-looking man grabbed her down. It was Yeron from the Nights Watch, Natari had met him some weeks back. Arya was safe.

Sansa had a tight hold on Natari's hand as the crowd below booed and called out at their father. As the bells from the Sept came to a stop Lord Stark called out across the crowd. "I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden in the North and Hand to the King. Before King Roberts blood was cold I planned to prevent King Joffrey from taking his place."

Stopping he looked over to his daughters, Sansa was smiling gently at him and Natari nodded. Looking away he took a depth breath and began to speak again. "I am here today to confess my treason, face the Kings Justice and declare King Joffrey, first of his name, the rightful heir to the throne."

Joffrey had a wide smile across his face as he stepped forward and waved out for the crowd to settle.

"My mother and lovely Sansa have pleaded with me to allow Lord Stark to live. To let him spend the rest of his day at the wall. But they have the soft hearts of women, and so long as I am your KING, treason shall never go UNPUNISHED!" Joffrey stopped and smiled wickedly at Sansa before turning to his executor.

"BRING ME HIS HEAD!" he roared out at as the crowd below went mad with cheers.

Queen Cersei looked in complete shock and Sansa fell to her knees.

"NOOOO, please no your grace!" Natari screamed out and stepped forward only to be pulled back by Sandor.

"Look away girl" he grumbled in her ear as he held her up against himself and pressed her head into his chest.

Natari tried to kick and punch, but it was no use. Turning around she watched as her Father looked on at her and she mouthed the word 'sorry' as the axe flew down through the air.