Until We Meet Again❄ (Sandor Clegane) Game Of Thrones (Wattys2019 Nominated)

41 - Watching & Listening

Several days had passed since Alia disappeared at the Twins and Sandor expected the worst. That she was dead. Arya, however, had the tiniest hope that she had left inside her that Alia would return but she didn't see Alia get drowned in the sea of soldiers like Sandor had. He wanted so desperately to run in after her and drag her out but he knew he had a job to do and that was to get Arya to her Aunt Lysa.

Arya had her head leaning against Sandor's chest, them both riding in silence and barely speaking to one another unless one of them had to do to the toilet or for Stranger to have a break from walking with both of their weight on him.

When night had come, the two of them set up camp and both sat in silence as nightfall shadowed over them both as they chewed on vegetables that they had stolen from someone's farm crops.

Arya looked up the man, his face looking more dull than usual and she knew why. Arya knew the beast of a man had feelings for the beauty that was Alia and Arya could see why. In fact, everyone could see why. Arya had recalled many times when Stark soldiers, as well as Robb, Jon, Jory and Theon had admired her from afar when she practiced her sword fighting and archery skills in the courtyard. The men would drool over her and not only because she was a strong and skilled fighter but because she was different. She wasn't like most girls who enjoyed cooking and knitting which is probably why Arya had looked up to her so much. She wanted to be like her. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. She wanted long, dark brown hair like Alia which could be styled in anyway. She had eyes so bright that they could light up any room she was in. Her skin, pale as snow and her scar? That was an imperfection that Arya found perfect. As did Sandor.

Many times Alia had read stories to Arya before bed because the tales that Old Nan used to tell Arya, she just wouldn't believe but when tales of dragons, ice men, princesses and princes came out of Alia's mouth, she believed them. Many times Arya would walk pass Alia's bedroom when she snuck out at night to rummage through the kitchens she would hear Alia crying to herself. She acted strong but Arya knew the weight of pressure that was on her at all times and it broke her heart that Alia could not see how effortlessly beautiful she was. She didn't need the mask to cover her nose and mouth because her eyes would distract people from the scar on her face. Her personality shone brightly and her combat skills were impeccable.

"She's not coming back, is she?" Arya finally spoke out, breaking the silence between the two.

Sandor met the young girls eyes, not really sure how to honestly answer her question without sounding brutal.

The girl had lost her mother, brother and Alia just a few days ago and he somewhat blamed himself. Maybe if they have travelled quicker, he could have saved them or if he didn't come back and left Arya and Alia with the Brotherhood they wouldn't have had to witness what they did. Now, Arya was sat across from him, not emotion in her face asking if the woman he had only cared for the most was alive.

Sitting up, he scratched at his beard and shrugged his shoulders slightly and looked into at the smoke that was emerging out of the flames.

"Most likely not... no."

Arya clenched her eyes shut at his answer, not wanting the tears to flow from her eyes at the thought of Alia being dead.

"W-why did she do it?"

Sandor let out a sigh, again, not really sure how to answer her question although he knew the answer.

"She loves you. She would never stop talking about Winterfell and your father, mother and siblings. She told me she would die for them if she had to. The woman did something stupid for who she loved." He grumbled, not feeling too comfortable about speaking about these types of things in front of a young child who he barely knew.