Jaslin had travelled for an hour before finally coming across some one. It was an older man, a man of god, who had settled now far away with his group of followers to build a Sept and home for his people.
The man was named Ray, a veteran of the War of the Ninepenny Kings and a former mercenary who had reformed himself and served the faith of the seven. Thankfully, Ray had had no idea who Jaslin was, and she had begged him to help, telling a story of how her husband and fallen down the cliff. Of course, Ray had helped the poor woman, and quickly followed her back to the man before bringing them both back to his camp.
Once Sandor condition had been stabilised, Ray had confronted Jaslin and asked for the truth. He could tell from the wounds that he had not merely fallen down the cliff, Ray also knew who he was and had heard stories about the man. Jaslin had been terrified that Ray would order them to leave, she knew Sandor would not make it a day without proper care, and quickly she began to sob and cry.
"He is my husband, that much is true. I am Lady Jaslin of the former House Frost. I was a friend of the Starks in the north and was searching for the daughters when we were attacked. I know you may have heard stories, but that is all they are, just mere stories. Sandor is a good man deep down, he has kept me safe and helped me in my mission, please, please allow us to remain in your camp".
"Aye you can remain here. The gods have seem fit to keep your husband alive, they must still have plans for you both. You will need to earn you keep though, you help the woman with the duties and once Clegane awakes, he can help us in building our house of worship. You find safety and peace with us here" Ray had smiled softly.
It had taken a week before Sandor finally awoke, and mother week after that until he was able to stand. During that time Sandor had become even more cold and mean towards Jaslin. Growing angry within an instant at her and refusing to speak. Jaslin would not give up on them yet, if what Ray had said was truthful, they had survived and found each other again for a reason.
One afternoon, Sandor had busier himself with shopping wood, as Jaslin kept her distant and helped the other woman prepare food.
"In all my days I've never seen a man swing an axe like that" Ray announced from behind Sandor.
Sandor ignored him and continued with his work as Ray came to stand by his side.
"How many men did it take to cut you down?"
"Just one" Sandor replied with a grunt.
"Oft, must have been one kind of monster. Anyway, come on, food ready" Ray chuckled.
Sandor threw down his axe onto the floor and looked over at Ray.
"You must be hungry after all that" Ray shrugged as he turned to walk away.
Sighing, Sandor followed the man back towards the camp. Both men joined the que for food together, remaining silent, until they finally approached the cooking standing and were passed a bowl of warm stew.
"You can have my share of the bread" Jaslin smiled hopefully at Sandor as she passed him two thick slices of white bread.
Sandor didn't look or respond to her as he snatched the bread and went to sit down with Ray.
"When that sweet wife of yours led me to you, I was sure you had been dead for days. She begged and cried for me to help though. You were stinking already, bugs all over you and there was gone coming right through your leg. That little lady of yours didn't seem to care though. She still clung onto you for dear life, kissing your forehead and praying as we brought you back to the camp. I reckoned you'd be dead before we got back, hell I thought you die another 12 times after that, but you didn't and that young lady didn't leave your side once. I thought at the time that Jaslin must have been the thing that kept you going, but when I see you both now... it wouldn't seem like that was true. So Clegane, what was it that kept you going?"
"Hate" Sandor grunted as he tore into his bread.
"No, there's a reason you're still here Clegane" Ray sighed as he shook his head.
"Aye, I'm a big fuckervand I'm hard to kill".
"No, there's a reason. The gods aren't do e with you let, not with either of you" Ray smiled and looked back to Jaslin who was still handing out bread.
"You didn't know me back in my time, you don't know the things I've done"
"Aye, I've heard the stories though. Yet you still managed to Get the love of a kind and innocent lady such as Jaslin. Do you really think that's note fate Clegane? She told me How you have both always found each other, do you always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. If that's not fate, I don't know what is".
"If the gods are real, why haven't they punished me then? For all the hate and killing"
"They have" Ray shot back and nodded over to Jaslin.
"She told you about the baby we lost" Sandor sighed heavily.
"Aye, she asked on of the woman to check her over. She wanted to know if she could ever bare a child again. Cried as she told us the story. Poor things only know a life of death".
Sandor remained silent as he finally looked back at Jaslin.
"She thinks you blame for it. She drowning in guilt for it, thinks you hate for it now" Ray continued.
"I don't blame or hate her".
"Well maybe try telling her that" Ray smiled and them finally left him to finish off his meal in peace.
Later that day Ray stood as his followers sat around and listened to his stories. Jaslin was sat by the back, knitting a woolen blanket when Sandor came and sat beside her.
"I was a soldier once. All my superiors thought I was brave, I wasn't. I mean I never ran from a fight, but only because I was worried my friends would see I was afraid. So I was a coward who followed orders, no matter the orders. Burn that village, fine. Steal that farmers crops,no problem. Kill those young lads, sure thing. One time I killed a young boy as his mother watched, slit his throat open right in front of her. That night I felt such shame, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. I just stated into that dark sky and heard the mother's scream in my head. I'll hear her screaming for the rest of my life. Now I can't bring that lad back, but with whatever time I've got left I can bring a little goodness into the world. It's all of us can do. It's never too late to start helping people, it's never too late to come back" Ray finished his speech and looked right at Sandor.
"We should talk" Sandor grumbled and turned to look at Jaslin.
Jaslin had almost thought he was talking to someone else. When she realised he was staring at her, she nervously put down her knitting needles and looked back at him.
"Of course" she gulped.
Sandor stood up first and began walking to a near by tree away from the group. As Jaslin quickly walked after him, Ray looked over at the couple and smiled. When they were finally alone, Sandor began to pace around in circles.
"I don't blame ya for what happened. For any of it. It wasn't anyone's fault" Sandor began.
"I ran into the twins courtyard, I put myself in that danger" Jaslin sighed.
"After what we saw there, you'd have to be fucking dead inside not to go in and try and help your own family".
"Your actions towards me speak differently. This is the first time you have looked or spoken to me in many moons".
"Aye, I found it hard to look at you, to speak with you. Not because I hated you though woman. Because I'm ashamed of me self. What kind of man am I if I cannot even protect my lady and our unborn child. I failed you, I've always failed you".
Jaslin quickly ran to Sandor and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Don't you dare Clegane, I know I have not been the easiest to love. Causing you complete trouble most the time if we are being truthful, but I would not have made this far without you. You have always put me first, despite me not doing the same. You are not to blame in any of it".
"I should have been with you" he whispered into the top of her head.
"And I should not have ran away" she replied.
Slowly Sandor places his arms around Jaslin and held her tightly forntge first time in months. "I promise you Sandor, I will never run away again, I shall remain at your side for the rest of my days, if you'll still have me?"
"I want for nothing else, but what of the girls?"
"Sansa fled the city without me and Arya has run away from me also. I have tried again and again to look and protect them, but I also need to protect myself, look after us. I'll never stop looking for them, or course not, but I will also be ensuring we remain together and safe as can be expected".
"I'll follow you no matter where" he smiled softly and finally brought his lips to hers.