Why was the Hound so protective of the Stark girls in Game of Thrones?

Sandor “The Hound” Clegane was one of the most interesting characters from Game of Thrones, an HBO epic based on George R. R. Martin‘s A Song of Ice and Fire. From being seen as a scary villain at the beginning of the series to becoming one of the most beloved characters on the show, Sandor has come a long way. Fans loved his interactions with the Stark girls, and he was protective of them. And there might be an underlying reason for his behavior, which is not well-known among the fans of the TV show.

How did the Hound treat the Stark girls in the Game of Thrones book and TV show?

The Hound was never known to be a nice guy – until he met Sansa and Arya Stark. Arya even had his name on her kill list, when he killed her friend back in Season 1. However, he grows to become a fan-favorite after he selflessly defends Sansa against an angry mob, and then rides and protects Arya after abandoning King’s Landing. However, his protective nature might be stemming from a childhood trauma.

The untold story of the Hound’s sister

Quite recently, an ASOIAF theory was suggested by the YouTube channel loreramble, which had its roots deep in Sandor’s story. According to the theory, Sandor’s elder brother, the psychotic giant Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane, killed their parents, as well as their younger sister, who was very close to Sandor. His failure to protect his sister made him insensitive to emotional pain, which was changed when he met the Stark sisters, who reminded him of his dead sister.

Read Next: This real-life historic battle inspired the Battle of Bastards in Game of Thrones