One fine autumn day, the Tully household received a raven bearing the seal of Sandor Clegane. To the delight of the family, it announced that he, Arya, and Sansa were to arrive at the castle in a fortnight.

Robb dispatched his best riders from the Stark host, who confirmed sightings of them along the route. With full hearts, Ned and Catelyn eagerly made ready to receive their long lost daughters and goodson.

"Where could they be?" Ned Stark grumbled irritably, glancing out the window for the fifth time in a quarter hour. "It cannot possibly take so long to ferry a boat here."

"The raven's message said they would arrive today, Ned," Lady Catelyn sat in the expansive bay window seat. "And Sansa said Sandor was bringing his horse we must allow for that."

"An ill-tempered beast if ever I saw one," Ned wrinkled his nose.

"Do you speak of your goodson or his horse?" Edmure teased.

"Both."

"Ned, please." Turning to her brother, Catelyn asked, "Edmure, you alerted the men in the tower of the Water Gate to admit them, did you not?"

"Yes, of course I did," Edmure sighed, clearly annoyed. He handed Ned a glass of wine. "They will raise the portcullis for Sansa and Clegane, no need to worry on that score. Sister, you must calm yourself."

"I cannot help it-I am beside myself! To think that tonight we will have both girls back under our roof, Ned-it is too wonderful!"

"Aye, that it is," Ned looked up from polishing Ice and smiled. "I expect Arya will be the same, but our sweet little Sansa comes to us a bride, Cat. It seems like only yesterday I took her to the moors to pick wildflowers."

"I remember," Cat softly replied. "She looked so tiny holding on to your hand, her bright hair aflame in the afternoon sun. Sansa was always such a lady, obedient and eager to please. We can thank the gods that even in that viper's pit they call the Red Keep that our girl found love-and with a brave man who cares enough to return her to us."

"That remains to be seen," Ned's warm expression turned taciturn. "Brave? No, more like self-serving. I just hope Sandor Clegane has the decency not to wear that horrible Lannister armor to Riverrun."

"Oh, Ned," Catelyn shook her head. "Is it self-serving to return our daughters to us? How can you even think such a thing?"

"Because I know the man. He is looking for coin; he will name his price once he secures guest right, mark my words."

"Do you really think he would do something like that after he betrayed the Lannisters?"

"I do; if it meant safer passage for them," Ned paced the room. "Not one in ten ruffians would be willing to tussle with a man his size and fearsome appearance, especially one wearing the cloak of the Kingsguard. I just hope he thinks of the trouble it will cause Sansa and Arya should he wear it within the camp."

"Ned, you must try to put a little faith in the man," Catelyn sat down beside him and covered his hand with her own. "His bravery warrents that much at least. I agree he is not the man I would have chosen for our sweet girl, but just look at what he has done for her! He has given up everything for Sansa-riches, distinction, an honorable place at the Red Keep serving the king. Despite the odds, it seems Sandor must have some sense of honor."

"Hmph," Ned interrupted.

"…or he would have never done such for Sansa," Catelyn ignored his comment and sat beside him. "Please, try to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Hmph," he muttered again, furiously polishing his blade.

"Please if not for me, then for Sansa."

Sighing, Ned slumped down beside her and stared out at the main road leading into Riverrun. "You know I will, wife, but it is a difficult thing you ask of me. I've never trusted any Clegane, though he's not so bad as his brother. Sandor has a reputation for speaking the truth but that's the extent of good I'm willing to concede to the man."

"Clegane cannot be so very bad, dearest, or Sansa would not have fallen in love with him."

"He killed the butcher's boy," Ned insisted. "He rode him down."

"So you have told me many a time, and I am sorry for the poor child. But he also betrayed the Lannisters for our sweet Sansa, and he is returning her to us! Surely that earns him some of your goodwill."

"Aye."

"Besides, husband, Sansa says in her raven that she loves him."

Gritting his teeth, Ned abruptly stood up. "He probably wrote that part himself."

"It was in her handwriting, dearest."

"Sansa is a child," Ned sharply turned to her. "She only thinks she loves him because he rescued her like one of those knights out of one of the fairy stories you used to read to her. Once she is among her family, her feelings will wane."

"Such is the fickle way of women," Brynden laughed. "That is why I am a bachelor."

"For shame, Ned!" Catelyn hissed angrily. "Do you think so little of your own daughter? Do you honestly believe Sansa capable of easily throwing over her own husband? To hear you speak, you would think she was Cersei."

Grudgingly he shook his head. "No, forgive my thoughtless words; we raised her better than that. Sansa is a good, obedient, devoted child. It's just-"

"It is just that she is your little girl and you cannot bear to recognize that she is a married woman." Catelyn settled beside him and caressed his cheek. "It is only natural; it was the same with my father, you recall."

"Your father was most stubborn."

Catelyn raised her brows but remained silent. Ned laughed self-consciously at her.

"That is the greatest understatement ever spoken in the Great Hall, Ned," the Blackfish chimed in before downing the last of his wine. "You must face reality: Sansa no longer the little girl who held your finger and picked wildflowers. She is a woman flowered, wedded and bedded."

A deep guttural groan emanated from Ned's throat, followed by hearty laughter from Brynden Tully.

"Face it, Ned, you are no longer the main man in her life," the Blackfish crowed. "Clegane holds that place now."

"Don't I know it," Ned muttered. "My sweet little lemoncake is a married woman, and now belongs to a Clegane, no less."

"You men! You must stop this at once!" Catelyn scolded them. "Sansa loves you, Ned, and nothing will change that!"

The grating metal of the rising portcullis turned their attention toward the entranceway in the lower bailey. "Hush, now, the both of you. Sansa and Sandor will be in directly," Catelyn eagerly smoothed down the front of her gown. "Now, listen to me carefully: I want the three of you to treat her with the dignity and respect you would afford any other married woman. Promise me."

"Of course, Kitty Cat, no need to mother hen us," the Blackfish grinned, tweaking Catelyn's curls. "Come Ned, let's go meet your goodson. I hear he is quite ugly; is it so?"

"He is not so very bad," Catelyn frowned at them, nervously adjusting her hair. "He is merely scarred; the sound side of his face is most becoming, I recall. He has the look of the north, and is very muscular and imposing."

Both men turned, staring with their mouths agape at Catelyn, when the house steward announced, "Lady Arya Stark of House Stark, accompanied by Ser Sandor and Lady Sansa Clegane, of House Clegane to see you, my lords and lady."

"I'm no ser, you buggering bastard," Sandor Clegane growled, the fierce man warily surveying the interior with an air of menace. Huge, dark and commanding, Sansa's husband seemed to take up the entire entryway as he stepped inside the Great Hall. He was even bigger than Catelyn remembered and yet he held Sansa's arm with uncommon tenderness that immediately touched her heart.

The servants eagerly scuttled away from him as he led Sansa into the room. After looking the family over, he muttered, "Lord Eddard, Lady Catelyn; I have brought your daughters, and another token of goodwill for your son."

"Mother! Father!" Sansa laughed, clasping her hands. Catelyn noticed that she looked as though she would very much like to run to them. Ever the lady, Sansa maintained her dignity, much to her mother's pleasure, and allowed her husband to lead her to the Tully head table.

Unable to contain herself and untroubled by such formality, Arya ran in front of her sister and goodbrother, tearfully leaping into her waiting father's arms. Catelyn took her turn kissing and holding her youngest girl before turning her attention to her oldest.

"Sansa, dearest, it is so good to have you home!" She tearfully pulled Sansa into a tight embrace. After several long moments of hugging and crying, Catelyn moved her daughter at arms-length, carefully taking in her lovely yellow brocade gown and black sash. "You are looking so well, my sweet," She affectionately touched her cheeks. "So happy and beautiful you are! Ned, just look at the roses in her cheeks! Married life certainly agrees with you, dearest."

"Yes, it certainly does, Mother," Sansa blushingly took her husband by the hand.

Ned tipped his head toward her and rolled his eyes. Catelyn glared at him.

Seemingly unaware of her father's disgust, Sansa smiled brilliantly as she took each of her parents by the hand. "Mother, Father, it is my pleasure to introduce your goodson, Sandor Clegane."