The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

Written Words

As Natari continued her journey further north the air grew cold. She had refused to take any guards with her, Robb needed all the men he could find, and if Natari kept her head down she would stay safe.

Robb had told her that Yoren had never come to Winterfell with their sister, so Natari travelled further north, towards the wall. After three weeks of hard ground and a sore body, she finally arrived at the walls of Castle Black.

"Who goes there?" a voice called out from the walls.

"Natari Snow. Daughter of Lord Eddard Stark. I have been sent by his son Robb Stark and now King of the North," Natari bellowed back in the cold.

No one replied but she could hear the movement of men and clashing of their armour as the gates slowly raised. On the other side stood Lord Commander Mormont.

"You're a long way from home child," he smiled.

Natari returned his smile as he led her through the yard and into his chamber. They took a seat by the table as the stewards placed more wood on the fire and brought them each a goblet of ale.

"What can I do you for then?" Lord Mormont asked once the young boys had left the room.

"Your man Yoren. I saw him take my sister away from Kings Landing after... after my father's death. She is not at Winterfell and I need to find her," she explained.

"Aye, Yoren was down there recruiting for the wall, but he never made it back, child. We heard word that he was cut down on the Kings Road by Lannister men, but there was never any word of a young girl" he frowned and ran his hand across his snow-white beard.

Natari felt her heart sink in her chest, this had been her only lead. How was she going to find her now? Taking a long drink from the goblet, she sighed and forced a smile at the old man. "Is my brother?" She whispered

"Aye, young Snow will no doubt be hearing of your arrival in the common room. Come on, I'll take you to him," he smiled and stood from the table and lead Natari back through the yard and then into another building.

"Nat!" Jon called out with wide eyes as he ran to his sister, hugging her tightly as he lifted her from the floor and spun her around.

"What are you doing here?" He asked confusedly as he placed her back on the ground and cupped her face in his hands.

She couldn't answer him straight away and Jon led them to a more quiet area of the castle and where she went on to explain everything.

"You were going to marry the hound?" He laughed.

"Yeah well I thankfully no longer have to," she smiled.

"I'm sorry about Jory," Jon spoke more softly now as he pulled his sister close to him again.

Natari was pulling something out the cloak she was wearing. It was a piece of paper with their father's seal.

"What is that sister?" Jon asked with an unsure expression and he pulled back from Natari and watched as she played with the wax seal.

"Before they took father... he... he had said some strange things to me in a moment of anger. The next time I saw him he told me to read this when I was back at Winterfell and safe," she mumbled.

"You are not home yet, sister," Jon replied flatly as his brow became more stern.

"I don't think I ever will be," she whispered to herself as she broke open the seal and began to read the letter aloud.

"My Dear Daughter. Since last we spoke I have been unable to not stop thinking of the cruel words I told you. I am afraid there is truth within them though. My dear sister Lyanna was in fact not stolen by Rhaegar Targaryen. She had run away with Rhaegar to Dorne. I was not aware of this until the end of Roberts rebellion where I found her at the Tower of Joy. She told me of her marriage to Rhaegar and then showed me her newborn twins. During the birth, she had developed a fever and not long after she died in my arms. With her last words she begged me to keep the two babies safe. To protect them and keep them as my own so Robert would never find out. So from that day, I have protected the two children, yourself and Jon. You are no bastard child, but a Stark and a Targaryen. I will always love you and your brother. You are my blood".