The water lapped against the stone, the rhythm soft. Sansa stood watching the ships sailing by as her eyes filled with tears. She had just heard the news from Tyrion about her mother and brother. He had been as gentle as he could in telling her, yet that did little to ease the pain she felt. The tears spilled down her cheeks as she closed her eyes, blocking out the pain.
If only I hadn't been so stupid! I could have seen my mother one last time. It was only a few weeks ago that she had been offered a second chance of escape. Wandering over to the bench, she sat and gave into her grief, crying bitterly at the thought of her mother's horrible death.
Pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve, Sansa wiped away her tears, breathing deeply to calm herself. As she went to tuck it back into her sleeve, she suddenly remember where it had come from.
Joffery had just shown her Ned Stark's head impaled on a pike and was tormenting her. She had thought to shove him off the edge of the wall but decided that just to die herself would be a better fate. She was slowly walking towards the edge when she was suddenly whirled around and the Hound stood before her, gently wiping the blood from her lip. He had told her to keep the handkerchief because she would need it again soon.
She fingered the edges, thinking about how he had been right - about everything! Knights and ladies were nothing like in the stories! They were all cruel, manipulative people! And she had been so stupid to think that it wasn't true!
Her eyes began to fill again. Why didn't I just leave with the Hound? At least then she would have died with her mother and brother, not all on her own. As far as she knew, she was the only Stark left.
A sudden realization hit her. If she would have left with the Hound, he would have never let her die. Well, then we would both be dead. She thought bitterly as memories flew back from that night in her room when he had come to her, promising to keep her safe...
She had entered her chamber, hiding from the queen. She felt safer there than anywhere else in the castle. The doll her father had given her before his death lay on a table and she set aside the lantern to pick up. Shame and regret filled her as she thought of how she had treated him that day.
A voice in the in shadows startled her and she spun round to see the Hound sitting on her bed, drinking deeply from a wine skin.
"The lady's starting to panic." He drew another draught from the skin.
"What are you doing here?" Sansa asked, fear tightening in her chest.
"Not here for long. I'm going." He stated simply.
"Where?" She questioned, surprise mixing with the fear in her voice.
"Someplace that isn't burning. North, might be. Could be." He shrugged.
"What about the king?" Sansa demanded.
"He can die just fine on his own." The Hound spat out before taking another swig of wine.
"I could take you with me. Take you to Winterfell." He rose from the bed. "I'll keep you safe. You want to go home?"
"I'll be safe here. Stannis won't hurt me." She said with a shake of her head.
Suddenly he grabbed her arm. "Look at me! Stannis is a killer. The Lannisters are killers. Your father was a killer. Your brother is a killer. Your sons will be killers someday. The world is built by killers... so you better get used to looking at them."
Sansa forced herself to stay calm. "You won't hurt me." She said in a quiet, even tone.
He looked at her intently before replying. "No, little bird, I won't hurt you." Releasing his hold on her, the Hound walked out of her chamber.
Sansa stood still, looking at the doll she still clutched in her hand. What do I have left for me here? She asked herself. No one had seen Arya since before Eddard Stark's execution and she wasn't sure if her little sister was alive, let alone that she would come back to King's Landing.
Turning around, she ran through the door. She took the shortest route she knew to the courtyard, not slowing down until she caught a glimpse of the Hound's dark armor. He had his horse saddle already and was about to mount it.
"Wait!" She cried. He paused, glancing back at her. Panting, Sansa stopped in front of him, her cheeks flushed. "I changed my mind, there is nothing here for me. I want to go home." Her voice broke and tears glistened in her eyes.
He turned back to his horse and hoisted himself up. Sansa stepped back, tears flowing freely. He's going to leave me! I lost my chance! Her heart fell into as he nudged the horse forward.
Sansa's head dropped, her hair hiding her face as she silently sobbed, shoulders shaking. Slowly she turned back to the castle, the sound of horse's hooves on the stony path.
Wiping the tears away, Sansa pushed back her hair, her face once more becoming emotionless. As she began walking, she was startled by a horse coming to a stop in front of her. She looked up at the rider in confusion.
"Are you coming or not?" The Hound rasped, holding out his hand. She grabbed hold and he pulled her up on the horse before him. Wrapped his arms around her, he nudged the horse into a gallop as they followed the street to the city gates.