At the top of the third season, Arya and the Hound's bittersweet relationship begins to take shape. While traveling through Riverrun with Gendry and Hot Pie, the young Stark takes refuge with the Brotherhood Without Banners. Clegane arrives a few hours later as the group's prisoner. He immediately exposes Arya's identity and places her fate in jeopardy. So when Clegane is brought before the Brotherhood's leader, Beric Dondarrion, she retaliates and accuses the Hound of murdering her friend Mycah at Joffrey's command despite the young Lannister being the true aggressor. A trial by combat is ordered, and the Hound overpowers and kills Beric (temporarily). The victory earns Clegane his freedom, much to Arya's chagrin.
