The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

Burn in Hell

Arya told her sister of what had happened to her since leaving Kings Landing. How Yoren had taken her and was leading her home when they were attacked my Lannister men. She had then ended up at Harrenhal, working as the cupbearer for Lord Tywin Lannister, who had no idea who she was. She had apparently been able to escape the place by the help of an unknown man named Jaqen H'ghar. He was from Braavos and was apparently an incredibly skilled assassin, but they had parted ways and not long after the Brotherhood without Banners had taken her in. Natari, in turn,  told Arya of the fate of Winterfell and held her as she cried over the death of her brothers.

"We are sorry for all the losses you have faced," Beric had spoke softly and passed her a horn of ale.

Natari nodded her thanks and then looked back over to Sandor. "Why do you have him here?" 

"The hound has been brought here to face judgement of his crimes," Thoros bellowed through the cave.

"What fucking crimes?" Sandor grunted.

"I was ordered by Ned Stark to find your brother and bring him to justice. He is responsible for the murder and rape of children, men and women, some as young as 7," Beric hissed back.

"Your fighting for ghosts. Starks dead!" Sandor growled back at him and Natari closed her eyes and fought back the want to cry.

"That's what we are: ghosts. Waiting for you in the dark. You can't see us, but we see you. No matter whose cloak you wear: Lannister, Stark, Baratheon, when you prey on the weak, the Brotherhood Without Banners will hunt you down," Beric spoke more coldly now as he walked around the cave.

"I ain't no murder or rapist. I ain't my brother. Is being a Clegane a crime now? If so cut my throat and have done with it. But don't think you're any different from me and call me murderer!" Sandor roared now as his eyes filled with rage.

"You killed my friend!" Arya suddenly announced. "He was the butcher's boy, his name was Michal and he was only 12 when you chased him down and cut him." 

"Is this true?" Beric asked

"Aye, I killed the boy. He'd hit the prince and I was his sworn sword. I was doing my duty!" Sandor confessed.

"Michal didn't hurt him, it was me that hit the prince," Arya cried

"Then I should have killed you," Sandor hissed as Natari stood in front of Arya and glared over at the man.

"Don't you like me any more little lady?" Sandor laughed at her as she continued to glare at him.

"Sandor Clegane, you have been accused of murder, but we don't know all the truth. By the power bestowed of me by the one true God, I sentence you to trial by combat," Beric announced as his voice rang through the cave.

Sandor began to chuckle as he looked over the men in the cave. Natari knew he could slay them all down without a drop of sweat.

"Who will it be then, the girls seem to be the bravest out all you runways," Sandor continued to laugh.

"Aye, they probably are, but today you'll fight me," Beric smiled.

Sandor was passed a sword and shield as Thoros began to mutter a prayer for Beric. Sandor was staring at Natari the entire time, there was no anger or rage as before, and she almost thought it was fear within his dark eyes, and the thought terrified her.

When the trial began, Sandor was the first to attack as he charged towards Beric. Beric quickly dodged him and then sliced his own sword against his hand. Instantly the sword lite with a blaze of fire which made Sandor look back with complete terror.

"He scared of the flames," Natari heard Arya giggle.

Natari shook her head and watched with suspense as Sandor found his feet and went on to attack again. Beric returned his attempt with countless hits of his sword against Sandor's shield which caused it set afire. As the roar of the flames from Beric's sword and the clang of metal continued, Sandor was now being backed into a corner and he almost lost his footing again. Quickly, he found his feet again and with a new strength of courage and fear he slammed his sword at Beric who fell to the side, taking his chances Sandor plunged his sword down into the man and roared like a beast.

"It seems your gods love me more," he yelled.

Arya screamed out as Sandor laughed and brought his eyes to meet Natari's. Thoros ran over to Beric and was whispering a pray over him.

"Burn in hell!" Arya screamed at Sandor who was lay on the ground catching his breath.

"He will, just not today," Beric suddenly announced as he raised from the ground, his wound completely healed.