Star

Chapter 2

It had been four days since the King had arrived in Wintefell, four days since I met the enigma that was Sandor Clegane aka the Hound. I hadn't had a proper conversation with the large man but then again, the odd times I had bumped into him I had come to find out he wasn't the most talkative of people.

His replies were usually short, blunt and to the point with grunts thrown in when he couldn't even be bothered to verbalize himself. Even then I had never spent more than five minutes at a time in his presence. The more awkward of times was the third time I spoke to him.

The third day of their arrival I had bumped into the overgrown man as I was making my way to the kitchens to procure some food for Lady Sansa. It had been daylight, and for the first time I had seen his face in full. Now, my reaction may have been different if someone had told me of the large scars the man had on his face, but no one had.

It was clear as day that it was the work of fire, of being burnt, but burns didn't bother me. I was used to them. My reaction had stemmed from simply not having expected to see it, nothing more. Like I said, I was used to burn scars so I didn't get uncomfortable or disturbed seeing them like I had witnessed from some other people. I knew for a fact Sansa was keeping her distance simply for that reason. That and she was a little intimidated by his sheer size.

Unfortunately my gawping and silence was probably misconstrued by the man causing him to come to the completely wrong conclusion. He didn't even say anything to my rude stare, just kind of brushed past me leaving me behind feeling utterly mortified and guilty.

Now saying that it was the meeting after that that was the awkward one. I had purposely sought him out, the need to set things straight too strong to ignore. It wasn't until nightfall that I found him. He was once again sat alone, drink in hand as he sat outside with only the cool breeze as company.

Shuffling closer I wrung my hands as I came to a stop beside him. He didn't even look my way, not until I had sat down next to him. His face turned my way, eyes hardening upon seeing me. I cringed. Clearing my throat I placed my hands in my lap before raising my head to look at him. His harsh gaze hadn't lessened.

"I wanted to apologise." I stated with false bravado. His expression didn't change, but I did see his eyes narrow almost minutely. "For yesterday. I was completely rude and I'm sure it wasn't what you needed. I simply hadn't been expecting it, no one had informed me. Not an excuse I know but, it's the truth."

Gnawing on my lip nervously as I waited for him to reply, for him to say anything I began to wonder if I would eventually break through the skin with how long he just stared at me. I was paranoid he was thinking of ways to punish me for my rudeness. In turmoil I started to speak again, this time words just falling out until he stopped me.

"I don't find anything unappealing about your scars, I know people with scars themselves so it's nothing new. I just didn't want you thinking I was repulsed or disgusted, or, or was going to look at you different because I would never do that." My breaths were becoming shorter the longer I spoke, my eyes trained on my knees. "I am so sorry if I insulted you because that was not my intentions-"

"Will you shut up!" His harsh voice overpowered mine easily, my mouth snapping shut with an audible snap. Cautiously raising my head I was happy, and surprised, to see he no longer looked so revolted and angry to see me beside him. "If I accept your apology will you leave me the fuck alone?" I nodded my head happily causing him to frown at me.

And I did. I promptly got up and left leaving him to it. I hadn't spoken to him after that. I had spent the entire next day splitting my time between Sansa and Arya who had begged me to train her a little with her new daggers which I did.