DAY 5 – EVENING
The tension of anticipation the evening before had given way to a desire to just get on with it, to know what he had planned, and be done with it. But, as she set off for the stables the anxiety crept in again, and she wasn't sure why. You don't fool even yourself woman! She knew exactly why. The feel of his cock engorging beneath her had preyed on her mind so often, it was at times as though it were still there.
Making her way down to the stables as the daylight faded, she again only wore breeches and a tunic, but wrapped herself in a heavy woollen cloak. When she got to him, she saw he had saddled only one horse.
"I'll fetch another." She said helpfully, stroking the neck of the chestnut mare.
"No need. The track is narrow, and the ride short. I've been told one horse is best." He said, smiling cheerily at her. "You first." He said, tipping his head towards the saddle.
Looking at him warily, she was relieved he made no attempt to assist her. She'd watched women being lifted on to horseback a thousand times, but her waist and height didn't make that option graceful, and she was glad to be spared the humiliation. Swinging herself effortlessly on to the mare's back, she inched herself forward in the saddle to make room for him behind her.
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. When she felt him swing up afterwards, and make himself comfortable with his crotch pressed into her behind, the air quickly seeped from her lungs. No wonder this was the more suitable option, she thought.
As usual he wore no cloak, instead layers of pelts kept him warm against the winter cold, and she'd been touched when he reached behind himself to the rump of the horse and grabbed a fur.
"Here." He said, as he gingerly reached inside her cloak and lay it flat against her front. "This will keep you warmer."
She thanked him, and pulled her cloak closed over it. His arms embraced her from behind to take up the reigns and he clucked at the horse, as his thighs squeezed its ribs. Passing through the gates, he again reached behind himself and unhooked a wineskin, pulling the stopper out with his teeth, he handed it to her to drink, before satisfying his own thirst.
Brienne was glad of its rich sour warmth sliding down her throat, not just to quench a thirst and warm her from within, but to settle her steadily increasing nerves. She found herself turning in the saddle at regular intervals to take the skin from him and calm herself.
It was a cold but clear night and she enjoyed gazing up at the stars as they rode north. His chin rested very near her shoulder, almost upon it, and they chatted intermittently passing the time. She could not deny herself the knowledge that she enjoyed the press of his warm body behind her, and was pleasantly surprised that he'd shifted his hips back a little, so his manhood would not rub-up against her as they bounced along. If asked to predict his ploy when hearing of the single horse, that would have been her first suspicion. She felt a certain gratitude that he was not pressuring her that way after all, and began to relax.
Not even half an hour had passed, since they left Winterfell, when he said, "I think this must be it."
He directed the horse towards a barely perceptible break in the trees, marked by a large rock. You would not have noticed it there, had you not known to look for it, especially in the dark.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"You'll see." He rumbled in her ear, a teasing tone in his voice.
"Sansa, thought you may appreciate it." He clarified, as his chest rubbed against her back as his lungs filled with air to speak.
"And she suggested it at night?" She asked sceptically.
He laughed a hearty rumble, "Well, perhaps not." He said, "That may have been my idea."
She puffed out a breath of laughter at his candour. "I see you didn't lie about the single horse being better though." She said, noting the narrowness of the path they were now on, as snow laden branches brushed against them.
She shifted slightly in the saddle to allow for the horse climbing a gentle hill, and as she did he seemed to embrace her more.
"It's very dark amongst these trees, are you sure you know where we are going?" She asked, only a little concerned.
"Quite sure. Sansa gave very specific directions." He nodded as he spoke, his chin dipping into the crook of her neck as he did.
"I'd not drag you out in the dark if I didn't think it would be worth it." He said in a low seductive voice. Its warm tone quite took her breath away for a moment, and she was relieved when he pointed out a tall stack of stones ahead to bring her out of her own head.
"I'm sure that mark ahead must be where we go. We're to leave the horse here." He rumbled, as they drew ever closer to it.
He swung himself off first, whilst she pulled the fur from beneath her cloak and lay it on the mare's neck. Standing close to the horse, Tormund held one arm up to her in case she wished to steady herself. She took his hand, and brought her leg forward over the neck of the horse and slid off. She landed with her body pressed against his, face to face. When his fingers released her hand, she found she wanted to slide it down the side of his face. Throwing caution to the wind, she did, and an errant finger brushed his lip. Their eyes were locked upon each other and the moment was there, she could take it or kick herself later.
The wine she had drunk helped with the decision. Her hand trailed further down his beard and she gently grasped it, pulling his face very slightly closer to hers. It was all the signal he needed, and they kissed. She felt her knees buckle a little with excitement. The kiss moved swiftly from firm to passionate.
Opening her mouth to him, their teeth chinked briefly as their tongues found a twisting rhythm. His hands made their way to her arse and she felt shock waves when they squeezed her, forcing her to push back from him to breathe. Her chest heaved, and she laughed at herself. This was beyond her imaginings.
"Best take me where you planned, before we get side-tracked." She said, as her hand rested on his shoulder, and she wished that it were not gloved.
He seemed mesmerized by her and unable to talk or move for a moment. "Hmm, sure." He grunted in the end.
Gathering the furs and a saddlebag he said, "I'll lead."
He stepped off the path and into the gap in the trees. "There's a stair." He said, "Be careful, it's basic."
She stepped gingerly down the rocks and stones that had been placed to ease their descent, and quickly became aware of a stream gurgling beside them. They walked alongside it northwards a short while. Switching her focus back and forth between where she stepped, to the hulk of a man in front of her, she flushed regularly as she thought of their kiss.
"I really can't imagine where you are taking me?" She spoke up.
"We're here." He said, turning to look at her.
As she looked she could see steam rising-up off the water. The moonlight caught on bubbles of a hot aquifer rising-up through the stream. There was one large pool, created by generations of bathers gathering rocks and forming a wall to divert the cold water of the stream away from the hot spring, in turn allowing it to fill a hollowed pool large enough for three or four people.
Her jaw dropped, and she looked further around herself. There were several small hot pools dotted about in the stream. Large rocks lined the edge of the largest pool and there was a small clearing amongst the trees, where snow barely reached the ground, and leaf litter decayed into a sweet-smelling floor.
"Sansa told you to bring me here?" She said, incredulous.
"She thought you may like to soak your legs, or more. I can turn my back if you want to bath." He said, as he lay the furs down in the clearing, sat and took a swig of wine.
She felt as though she should say no, but the steam rising-up from the water looked so good. Instead she took off her cloak and folded it, placing it upon a rock. Bending down, she pulled off a glove and cautiously put her hand in the water.
"It's lovely." She said, and sat on her cloak to remove her boots and stockings.
Rolling the hems of her breeches up she put her feet in the water. "Seven gods!" She exclaimed, "That is wonderful. Come, try it."
He handed her the wine and removed his own boots, and was soon perched beside her as their feet dangled in the water. She giggled when she looked at him. There is no way she could have imagined this moment.
"Are you sure you wouldn't look, if I got in?" She queried.
He pursed his lips and wrinkled his nose. "I had thought I wouldn't, until you laid that kiss on me and now I'm not sure I can manage." He said truthfully.
She laughed, and leaned over to give him a gentle kiss. "I admire your honesty." She said, "How about you agree to try your hardest." She said, standing up and taking her cloak.
"You stay here. Don't turn around, I'll see you if you do." She instructed, as she stepped over to the clearing and quickly stripped off.
Her feet soon stood at his side, on tip toes escaping the cold of the rock beneath them, her cloak hiding all but her ankles. "Now, stand and turn your back to the water." She said, watching him the entire time.
When she felt sure he would not turn, she tossed off her cloak and sunk quickly into the pool. She groaned as her body relaxed into the warmth, its heat sharpened by the contrasting cold.
"You can turn back around now." She allowed.
He was grinning as wide as she had ever seen, when he turned to face her.
"Can I put my feet back in?" He asked hopefully, and he looked as soft and pleading as a begging pup.
She twisted her mouth contemplating it for a heartbeat, "Yes, if you pass me the wine." She smiled.
He picked up the wine, making himself comfortable on the rock once more and sunk his feet back into the water. Taking a line-of-sight, he turned his head away as he reached his arm out towards where he knew she sat, the wine dangling from his hand. Taking it, she looked at him cautiously, judging his self-control.
"If you'd like, you may join me. Just don't sit too near." She offered.
He stood faster than anyone she had ever seen. His feet flicking water about in their haste. Removing himself to the clearing he stripped off quickly, his pelt clothing landing in an unkempt heap. She tried to offer him the same privacy he'd afforded her, by tilting her head away, but he hadn't requested it and she felt keen for a look, so she peeped out the corner of her eye. He had no sense of shyness about him and made no effort to cover himself as he approached the pool.
Her lips curled into a large smile the closer he got, and she had to forcefully squeeze one eye shut to obscure such a tantalising view. Her imaginings had not been wrong from what she could tell in the limited light, and as he sunk into the water she let out an involuntary squeal at the naughtiness of her behaviour.
"Hmm." He sighed, "It is bloody good."
They eyed each other from the opposite sides of the pool, and grinned sheepishly at one another.
"What are we doing?" She questioned.
"I don't know." He said, "But it wasn't me that started it."
She slapped the water, splashing him. "You brought me here." She said, her face serious.
"To soak your feet." He countered.
"Bah." She said, "Unlikely. Why all the furs then?" Tilting her head towards the clearing, spread carefully with warm comfort.
He knew he was caught, and brought is hand to his face to rub it with warm water, attempting to wash off a modicum of shame.
"It was you who kissed me, and it was you who got naked first." He said through his grin.
Her mouth fell-open. "I dispute that! It was you who kissed me." She insisted.
"Hmm, perhaps, or maybe we kissed each other?" He offered, dipping his shoulders beneath the water.
She felt his hand caress her calf and ankle, and she took a deep breath as sparks flew through her blood.
"When did you know I wouldn't run from you in a place like this?" She asked, curious.
He smiled and let his hand slide further up her leg. "When you sat on me yesterday. You know the moment." He said, raising his eyebrows, leaning towards her and sinking his mouth beneath the water to make himself appear more predatory.
She could not see the colour of his eyes in the dark, but they sparkled with lust and she should have feared him, but she didn't. Instead she smiled and raised her own brows in reply, as she reached under the water to run her hand up the arm which he held her leg. They came together instinctively, a force of passion drawing them in.
Already hot from the water, she felt she may faint when his body came up hard against hers. Their lips quickly found the passion they had enjoyed earlier, and her hands drifted over his shoulders and chest enjoying the feel of the hard muscle and coarse hair that grew there. She found herself wrapping her legs about him, and had to push her torso away for breath when his hard cock rubbed up against her stomach.
When they resumed their kiss, she unconsciously crawled up him, so his knob could knock at her entrance.
"Not here." He said, surprising her. "It seems like a good idea, but the water washes away your own slickness. You need to be as slippery as an eel to enjoy yourself." He assured.
Catching the disappointment on her face he said, "If you truly want it, it can wait. I have towels, and the furs are warm and comfortable enough to accommodate whatever you desire." He smiled, "I can keep you plenty occupied for now."
His hand found her breast, and she gasped as he rolled a nipple firmly between his thumb and forefinger. Her head tossed back in response and he covered her breast with his mouth, sucking strongly upon it. She was grateful for the cold air about her, with only her bottom submerged in the water. Her heart was racing, and she was burning up. His hands kneaded her buttocks, and her mouth sought his again.
The thought flashed briefly through her mind that she should protect her maidenhead, and her conscious thought responded with "fuck it!" Why protect her honour when the world was likely at an end? It was a nonsense, and she was known as a practical person. She ground her hips against him, and put her hand amongst his flaming hair. His scent was subdued in the water and she longed a little for the smell of him during a fight.
They revelled in their hands exploring each other, and she nibbled on his ear to his rumbling delight. She sat in his lap looking at him, incredulous that she found herself there. She knew her respect of him had grown, along with her attraction to him, but the fire it lit took her by surprise.
Her finger traced his lips, before her hand smoothed his beard gently. "I think I want to get out now." She said.
He climbed out first and moved swiftly to his saddle bag, pulling out towels. He walked back over to the water and despite the cold stood for a long moment looking down at her admiringly, before placing a towel on the rock and turning his back. She watched him walk back to the clearing seemingly immune to the cold and rub himself vigorously with another towel.
"Get amongst the furs." He said, when he heard her alight from the water. Adding, "If that is what you want?"
He remained still, with his back to her. She appreciated the courtesy he showed her, in turning away, and suspected he knew or guessed 'the Maid of Tarth' was no nom-de-plum. She snatched up her cloak as she passed it, and rolled it into a make-shift pillow for them, before sliding between the large furs he had laid out.
"Are you comfortable?" He asked.
"Yes." She replied, wriggling to encourage the fur to warm her. "But, I'll be more so when you join me." A slight quiver in her voice betraying her nerves.
He turned, smiled a huge smile and threw himself under the furs. Their skin collided in an instant, and she fought an internal monologue until her blood boiled strong enough for it to subside. His lips were hot and limber against her own, and she marvelled that she ever thought him a brut. She rubbed herself against his cock which was hardening again after its cold-induced deflation.
He pulled his lips away from hers, "Slow down." He said. "I have some work to do."
She wondered what he meant, she felt more than ready to be soiled. He dipped his head beneath their covers, and ran his hands along her ribs, suckling her teats. She pushed her head back into her pillow and sighed in pleasure, as her hand snaked up his back and her fingers tickled his neck.
He began kissing and licking her breasts, and slowly kissed further down her belly. When his nose nuzzled her mound, her legs slammed closed stiffly. A warm hand slid along the inside of her thigh and she relaxed them open once again. He shuffled himself down, and gently found a place between her legs, briefly popping his head up from under the furs to see her face.
"There will likely be no going back, for you or me, if I carry on." He warned. "Are you sure, you'll have me?" He asked, as his hand rested on her hip.
She could see the worry in his eyes that she may not want him, and it made her sad for the rejection she had heaped upon him. Smiling a small nervous smile, she took an anticipatory breath, before nodding her assent. His head disappeared back under the fur and he kissed her there. Her mind exploded, overstimulated by his touch and the thought.
His tongue dipped amongst her folds and she grabbed at the fur beneath her, desperate to anchor herself to something. He eased her legs apart further, as his tongue enjoyed long languid licks of her, sucking her flesh gently into his mouth as he travelled her folds, growling softly as he went.
Dipping his tongue inside the very heart of her, she thought she had met her end, but his mouth moved to gently hover over her nervous nub, when he drew it into his mouth with a gentle suck she sat almost upright and squealed, clawing at his head; leaving even herself unsure if she wanted him to stop or urgently continue. He kissed her along the centre of her belly and she lay back down sedated.
She felt his fingers massage her folds and was lost again, her breath coming to her in short gasps. He gently probed her with a thick finger, and she winced slightly at the invasion.
His chest brushed along her own as he brought his head back to hover above her. Her nipples stood at attention as he went. He kissed her, a caring but not overly passionate kiss, and she could taste the salty-sweetness of herself.
"You're as wet as you will ever be." He said, "I shall take you, if you'll allow it."
Her affirmation hitched in her throat, and she coughed slightly before speaking it more clearly. "Yes." She said, and put her hands behind his head and pulled him into a passionate kiss.
His knob was rubbing against her entrance, and the flame it lit was strong. She could discern the smooth roundness of it, but also the firmness. He pushed himself gently inside her, until he met resistance. Her breath barely came to her, the anticipation of pain so great. He pulled himself back slightly and plunged strongly forward. The sharp sting of pain catching her by surprise, despite her preparedness. She let out a small cry of pain.
Stopping instantly, he said "That will be the worst of it." And kissed her, before slowly, so slowly, drawing himself out again.
He entered her again, equally slowly and groaned appreciatively as he did so. He was right, she anticipated another sharp pain, but instead it was more like a graze, which was soon soothed by the sensations of him filling her. Gradually increasing his tempo, he rested his forehead on hers for a moment, and she felt the connection between them deepen. This was not some grateful tumble for him, he took real care to be careful of her, respectful of her, and as his pace quickened she got out of her head and into her body, feeling every motion and spark he caused.
Her breath was being lost to her, and it was clear that his had left him too. He grunted, withdrew himself suddenly and finished himself on her belly. The hot fluid, hitting her in spurts.
"Gods, that was hard." He said, as his breath returned to him, still leaning on one arm and stroking his cock.
"I wanted to cum in you so bad, worse than I have ever felt." He said, puffing, collapsing his full weight on top of her and squelching together. "Fuck, I just want to fill you to the brim with my seed."
She appreciated his sincerity, which was doubtless genuine, and wrapped her arms around him with a tight squeeze.
"It will be much better next time, now that you've been broken." He said, rolling off her and on to his side.
He reached for a towel and wiped her clean, before wiping himself.
She blinked. "It gets better than that?" She said, finding it hard to believe.
His laugh was hearty, as he coughed out the word "Much!"
He leaned across her and kissed her lovingly, his hand drifting to her breast to massage her nipple again. "Just wait until you are healed, then the fun can begin."
She smiled an excited smile. "Well, that's intriguing." She said, tugged his beard and pulling him into another kiss.
When they'd had their fill of kissing, he encouraged her on to her side, and pulled himself up tight behind her. "Do you mind if we sleep a little, before we go back?" He asked.
She wanted to say that she never wanted to go back, that she wanted to stay here in the furs with him for ever. Instead, she said "Fine", and wriggled her bottom against him to find a comfortable spot.
Hearing his breathing slow and deepen, she knew he was drifting into sleep. His arm became heavy where it lay over her hip and she became hyper aware of what she had done. The inner monologue scratched at the corner of her brain, but she pushed it away, reached the hand of the arm she lay on across herself and took hold of his hand. She entwined her fingers in his, and allowed herself to follow him into sleep, as he breathed warm gusts on her neck.
She woke to the sound of a forest creature scampering in the dark. He'd woken too, and said a groggy, "Should we go?"
"No." She replied and rolled out from his embrace to face him. She kissed him, and he rolled on to his back, pulling her against his side, so that her head rested in his armpit. His hand absently travelled the flesh it could reach.
"Fine with me." He said. "But, I'll not fuck you again tonight. You'll get too sore."
Her face twitched with disappointment, and he caught sight of it. "Believe me, I want to!" He said. I'd love to fuck you until you are sore, but if I do it so soon, you'll be raw instead."
He thought a moment. "I've waited this long to have you. You can wait a day to heal a little." A low rumbling laugh flowed out of him.
She felt sure the happy sound, escaped him because he'd conquered her finally and the joy overflowed him, or perhaps he laughed at her impatience. Either way, she was glad to hear him happy.
"Sleep some more." She encouraged him, her hand smoothing over his chest. "We'll go back before daybreak."
"Hmm." He sighed, and quickly drifted back into sleep.
She was glad when she woke before him and carefully reached out of the furs for her clothes. Seven hells! They were cold to the touch and she pulled them into the warmth of the fur, to take the chill from them. Although his mouth had been on her most intimate places, she still felt a shyness about him seeing her naked, and as soon as the fabric warmed, she slid into her breeches and shirt, before pulling her tunic on. He was awake by the time she got that far, her wriggles disturbing him.
"It's not that bloody cold." He laughed, at her dressing beneath the covers.
She planted her elbow in his rib, "Maybe not to a savage wildling beast like you." She said in jest.
Pulling on her stockings and boots, she stood. She gathered up his clothes and tossed them to him, before heading to the water's edge to wash her face. The warmth of the water still surprised her, even though she knew it would be. The sky was not as dark as it had been, and she knew dawn was not far off. He dressed quickly, and rolled their bedding, gathered the wine skin and towels, and tossed the saddle bag over his shoulder.
"That was …" She was lost for words. "That was special." She said.
He reached his hand out to her, and she took it as he pulled her into a kiss. "Our interlude is not quite over with." He said. "We've the ride to enjoy yet."
She nodded, but felt the disappointment at leaving and lead the way along the edge of the stream, back to the stairs. The horse snorted at them when they appeared. It felt to her as though it were an annoyed parent, expressing disgust.
Her eyes widened when she landed in the saddle. She was indeed aware of discomfort, and realised he'd been right to deny her. He made no allowance to avoid rubbing up against her on the return journey, and she was startlingly aware of his hard cock pressing up against her back. One of his hands found its way beneath her cloak and she pulled off his glove, and lifted her tunic so he may hold his hand against the warmth of her belly.
As they neared the castle she couldn't hide the childish grin from her lips. The sky was ever lighter, and it was true dawn when they arrived. The guards recognised them and let them in, and they passed the mare off to a bleary-eyed stable boy as soon as they got inside.
"So, what time alone do I get with you this day?" He asked, smugly.
"You've had it." She said, "When it passed midnight."
He looked crestfallen, and she quickly made him aware of her jest. "Tonight, we shall have our time alone after the evening meal."
He leaned in to kiss her, and she planted her hand on his chest, holding him back at arms-length. Looking about briefly to see who may be watching, she smiled and let him kiss her goodbye, before he headed off to put the bedding away.
AN: THANKS for reading. Don't forget to Follow/Fav, and Review. I would love to hear your thoughts. I enjoy these two. Tormund has been great fun to write in my SanSan 'Burning a Northern Winter' where he gets to have boy-talk with Sandor.