I think he's dead although I'd love to see him bring it full circle and kill his brother with fire.

Ooh, that would be nice.

I am almost positive that the Sandor Clegane is still alive. The evidence in AFFC is pretty convincing in that regard, even if it is very subtle in typical GRRM fashion.

I don't know how big a role Sandor will have if he's become a brother/monk, but the set-up is perfect to have zombie Gregor fight for Cersei in her trial by battle, and to have the Hound fight for the church that's accusing Cersei. That fight has to happen!! Come on GRRM, don't let us down!

If you still doubt that Sandor lives, read this excellent essay on the subject (which has all the relevant book excerpts from AFFC), and then tell me if you're still convinced he's really dead:

http://towerofthehand.com/blog/2010/...he_/index.html

Interesting essay, I like how he shows how a person dying can mean they have cast away their old persona rather than being physically dead and how that might relate to the Hound.

I've never gone to towerofthehand because I'd never get anything done ever again.

But I've been of the mind all along that Sandor's death was purely a symbolic one; a passing of 'The Hound' and being reborn as Sandor. I'm about 80% sure that he's still out there kicking around.

I hadn't considered the possibility of him coming back to fight on behalf of the church against Gregor, however. That's pretty damn good...

Better that than this...

"We will have to wait and see. It has been confirmed that Clegane's is not one of the mystery POVs in A Dance With Dragons. Despite whatever pleasure we may have taken from his character, we must accept the fact of the most likely conclusion to this theory: that Sandor's life and death will not be confirmed or denied, that the remaining books will never confirm his continued existence as the gravedigger, and that, if the theory is true, he will spend the rest of the tale on the Quiet Isle, repenting for his life of violence through a vow of silence, as the Elder Brother did. Sandor Clegane may not be dead, but it probably doesn't matter; barring an unforeseen turn of events, he is still finished in A Song of Ice and Fire."

http://towerofthehand.com/blog/2010/...he_/index.html

Unfortunately, that probably is the most likely scenario.

What with GRRM being a **** and all...

I'd forgotten nearly all of that stuff about the Quiet Isle.

On a different note, the stuff about Gregor makes me wonder how they're going to get Qyburn into the story, because so far there is no Goat and friends.

LMAO

Honestly to have protected both Stark girls, that would be utterly dumb for him to actually die and not be rewarded for that.

Looks like we get to hear the Rains of Castamere sometime in the next couple of weeks:

http://wicnet.tumblr.com/post/236555...stomere-by-the

And we'll also hear it sometime next year. I'm guessing in the finale.

Have you been paying attention?

Since when has GRRM been fond of 'rewarding' anyone in these books? I'm of the mind that he kills via dartboard at this point.

Freaking sweet. I didn't follow this link yesterday, but The National playing this is major win.

Ugh. Best thing about that link is the usernames of those that are reblogging this gem.

Well I noticed people died or whatever....how Brienne died was ****ing ****ed up though. Yeah I guess you're right. **** GRRM.