The Forest Child {Sandor Clegane Story}

The Pack Survives

"Is that the last of them? Jon asked Davos as the dead bodies of Thorne and three others hung in the courtyard.

"Aye, Lord Commander" he replied grimly.

"No, it's just Jon Snow. I served my oath".

"What do you mean?" Sam asked nervously.

"My watch has ended," Jon replied as he walked away from the men.

Later that day Davos was sat in silence with Jon as he packed up his few belongings.

"Will you join the fight now Jon? He asked desperately.

"I will find my sister's first," Jon sighed.

Davos looked as though he was about to speak when Sam came running into the room breathlessly.

"What is it Sam? Walkers?" Jon asked worried.

"No, it's your... just come, quickly!" he urged and ran back out of the room.

Jon looked over at Davos before following his large friend out into the courtyard.

"Jon!" Arya cried as she ran to him and jumped into his arms.

Slowly, Sansa hobbled behind her and joined in the reunited hug.

"How?" Jon whispered as he cupped Arya's face and turned to Sansa.

"Natari," she smiled as tears fell down her cheeks.

"Natari? She's still alive? Where is she Sansa, what's happened?" Jon quickly asked as he looked around the courtyard.

Arya was crying heavily into Jon's chest as he held her tight and listened to Sansa explain what had happened at Winterfell.

"She told me to run and not look back. I did as she told me, but she's not here, she said she would meet us here," Sansa sobbed as Brienne placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Who are you?" Jon asked her.

"I'm am Brienne of Trath. I was Lady Starks sworn sword and promised her I would find her daughter's before she was killed," she announced proudly.

"Well, I thank you for bringing my sister's back".

"It was your other sister Natari who saved them. I merely help."

"Well if you could see to my sister's now that would be of great help. I need to return to Winterfell and find my twin sister."

Slowly Jon released Arya and pulled her face up to his. "I will bring her back sweet one."

"The Pack will survive Arya," Sansa nodded in agreement as she wiped the tears from her face.

After Jon had said his goodbyes, he saddled up his horse and galloped out of the gates of Castle Black with Ghost by his side. After only just half a days ride, he came across his first group of men.

"Hello," a thin man with his hair pulled back in a bun called out with a large smile.

Jon pulled his horse to a slow walk as he approached the men.

"Your Natari's brother... what's his name... Jon" one of the men announced who Jon knew instantly as the Hound.

"Where do you travel to?" Jon asked, ignoring Clegane as he turned to face the leader, an older man with a bandage covering one eye.

"My name is Beric, and we are the Brotherhood without Banners, the Lord of Light has spent us to join in the fight against the dead."

"Your a brother of the watch?" The thin man asked.