Author Note:

I do not own these characters or any aspect of this imaginary world. I am in the middle of the third book in ASOIAF, so I am therefore more familiar with the television show, thus why I am posting this here.

Sansa is 16 during this work of fiction, as I feel more comfortable writing mature content with her being older. All other characters mentioned are as they are in the television show.

I'll keep you safe. He had muttered those words to her as he ushered her out of her room and into the halls of the Red Keep. Orange and red colours splashed over the stone as they jogged down the corridors. Every so often a flash of green lit the space and made their skin look sickly. The shouts of the men fighting on the Blackwater could be heard all over the city, she imagined. The Hound winced at the cries of men burning and the sound of men diving into the water to escape the flames. He stopped at the end of one of the hallways and stared out over the water. The flames were as tall as the Red Keep walls, the smoke rising into the sky in thick columns. He stayed for a few heartbeats until Sansa tugged at his arm, the fear written across her features.

"Come on, girl," he muttered taking her arm and roughly pulling her along behind him. The few possessions she had managed to grab were shoved hastily into the bag over her shoulder, hitting her back with each stride.

When they exited the Red Keep and scurried across the grounds to the stable, Sansa looked over her shoulder. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but her breath hitched in her throat at the sight of the walls surrounded by an aura of fire. It looked as though the sky was melting, the waves of heat rippling above the towers. The smoke was so thick that the stars were hidden. The air was thick and heavy and each breath she took in was like breathing in a hot cloud. The smoke entered her lungs and the feeling it left behind was that of soot coating her throat. She imagined the black smudges on the back of the hearth in her room at Winterfell. She would run her fingers through the soot and rub it over her hands, concealing her pale flesh. She had only been a child when she did such things. A child she no longer was.

"Stay back," he warned as he approached a beast the colour of black tar. Her heart hammered in her chest even harder as he pulled the creature by the reins and led it out of the stable. "He'll bite your hand off if you give him the chance," he growled.

Sansa stepped back even further. Her eyes widened as she stared into Stranger's eyes. They were black as coal, with the flames of the night dancing on his pupils. His glossy mane shimmered in the light of the burning men. The horse seemed less than afraid. He seemed shy and timid, but Sansa did not take the Hound's warning lightly. She kept her distance and watched as he tightened the saddle and closed the side bags. She was so busy watching Stranger stare at her that she didn't even notice when the Hound brought out a beautiful gray horse and stopped it behind Stranger.

Her gaze wandered to the much smaller horse. She was beautiful, at least her instincts told her it was a female. "Mine?" her voice felt very small and ragged from the smoke.

The Hound nodded and came around the horse. He picked Sansa up with ease and tossed her onto the saddle. His hands lingered on her waist as she took the reins into her shaking grip. I must not falter. I need to get away. He'll keep me safe. All fears subsided, the Hound took his hands away and looked into her eyes. Her hands were trembling but she nodded, attaching her bag to the saddle and holding the reins firmly. With a quick nod, he climbed onto Stranger's back and they rode. Sansa followed behind as best she could, but Stranger was swift. They headed towards one of the gates that had been locked against the battle. Sansa's sense of direction was off, but she felt like her heart was singing North. As they approached the gate it was made very clear that it was not deserted as would be expected. The Hound drew his longsword without hesitation and swung it through the air at the Lannister guard trembling in his armor. Sansa gasped and squeezed her eyes shut, hearing the grunt of the Hound taking the impact of his sword meeting flesh, and hearing the shout of the man, the gurgling of blood escaping his body and then the soft thud as they rode past the body slumping to the ground. Another guard was waiting at the gate, his eyes wide and the whites bright against the darkness.

"Open the gate or you'll have his fate," the Hound slowed his horse, Sansa followed suit, as he gestured back to the fallen guard.

The guard thought for a moment and seemed to hesitate. Stranger whinnied and shook his head, grunting in what sounded like frustration at being still. The guard jumped and opened the gate. "Apologies, ser." His voice stuttered.

Sansa watched as the Hound brought his sword back up and sliced the guard's head clean from his shoulders. Sansa let out a scream. "Hound!" she yelled without thinking.

He turned to her, the gates open before them. "Scream again, and I'll leave you for the wolves." Fear ran through her veins like ice. She knew he wasn't lying. "Dead rats don't squeak," he explained as he put his heels to Stranger and began racing towards the trees ahead of them.

Sansa held back for a moment, her head spinning. She watched Stranger disappear into the trees and began to panic. She kicked her horse and took off, leaving the broken guards and the gate open to anyone who dared to come near it.

Once in the trees under the cover of darkness, Sansa thought they would slow their pace. But alas, the Hound went faster and Sansa had no choice but to try her best to keep up. Her horse was quick, small but mighty. Stranger on the other hand was large and powerful. Combined they managed to keep pace with one another, Sansa only ever a few paces behind. As the night turned into dawn, Sansa once again thought that they would stop, or at least say something, but the morning changed to afternoon and then dusk. Her stomach growled, her body ached and her eyes threatened to close, but she dared not speak. The wolves were prowling in the woods, and despite her winter blood, they wouldn't hesitate to prowl on a young woman in the woods with no knowledge on how to survive. When the night sky grew large over them again, the stars twinkled and the air finally was free of smoke.

Sansa's eyes drooped. Her thighs were on fire. The sweat on her back made her thin dress cling to her. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and her hands trembled from clutching the reins so tightly. Every few moments she would feel wide awake and watch Stranger's legs racing in front of her mare. Then after a moment the tiredness would consume her. Before she knew what happened, darkness took her and the feeling of falling consumed her. She was flying through the air, but was too tired to care. She was already somewhere far away. A dream was already playing behind her eyelids before she hit the ground.

I prefer a slow burn. I have more written. I only await your thoughts and desire for more. Reviews are delicious.