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

49 - Parting Ways

"Who would pass the Bloody Gate?"

"The bloody Hound, Sandor Clegane. And his... travelling companions Alianora Crow and Arya Stark, niece of your lady Lysa Arryn."

The time had come, it was time for Arya and Alia to bid farewell to Sandor as they approached the magnificent architecture of the Eyrie, a high up ancient castle that is homed by Lysa Arryn, Catelyn Stark's sister.

Upon arrival, Arya kept asking if Lysa would take her in despite the fact they had never met Sandor was certain due to family, duty and honour.

"The I offer my condolences... Lysa Arryn died. Three days ago." The Knight speaks, being as sympathetic as he could towards Arya but Sandor and Alia stood with their mouths open, in complete disbelief about the scenario that they were in. Sandor more so than Alia was since he did it for gold but when Alia turns to look to her side to look at Arya to see her reaction, the young girl burst out laughing and looked up to Sandor as disappointment spreads across his face, knowing he was stuck with Arya for even longer but on the plus side, Alia would be staying too? Wrong.

Whilst Arya had her laughing fit whilst Sandor stomped away in a sulk, probably to look for the horses they had left, Alia had dragged Arya towards the Knight and looked at him sceptically.

"May I ask how Lady Arryn died, Ser?"

The man recognised Alia, most likely from when herself and Catelyn made their way over to the Eyrie around five years ago, so the Knight knew she was trustworthy.

"From the yesterday's news, it would appear that she had killed herself. Fell through her Moon Door."

Something, just something didn't feel right to Alia. She knew Lysa Arryn was a strange and toxic woman, but suicide made her question her as a person more. Her son, Robyn Arryn was a young boy who she had loved more than anyone in the world so it was awfully confusing as to why Lysa would suddenly die.

"Suicide? Why?" Alia pushed on further question, the Knight looking to Alia confused but obviously the Vale had heard of Catelyn's death and since Arya was with her, it would be inappropriate to turn down any answers.

"Well... she had married. Very recently but something went wrong. I, myself, do not know what that was but it was rumoured that a row had emerged and she said she wanted to end it all. And so she jumped. Awful business if you ask me."

Alia gnawed away at her lower lip whilst Arya stood beside Alia puzzled as to why they haven't left yet and why Alia was bombarding the man with questions.

"Whom did she marry?"

"Lord Baelish."

"Lord Baelish?" Her eyes widened in shock.

Everyone who had known Lysa would know how infatuated with Petyr Baelish she was so this made the plot thicken. Catelyn had informed Alia how Baelish had loved Catelyn effortlessly over Lysa which made Lysa sick with hate as she had to marry Jon Arryn but wouldn't she have been happy? The Gods finally allowed them both to be together. Seemed like a cruel fate just like how it was for Sandor and herself.

Arya had gotten bored of Alia's conversation and had stormed off too, most likely joining back up with Sandor as they both waited for Alia but Alia found out more information. More information than she intended to get.

Sansa had left the Eyrie a day ago. Baelish had disguised her apparently and had led her away from the Eyrie.

Alia didn't trust him, not one bit. But now, she was in a predicament. Was she to stay with Sandor and Arya and travel elsewhere or would see go and find Sansa and look after her herself. Then it would leave a bad taste in Alia's mouth knowing she could have a future with Sandor, but she loved them girls like they were her own flesh and blood.