SANDOR
Clegane, led the girl forward until she stood directly in front of the young king. The Great Hall stood empty, save for the Kings Guard and his voice echoed as he announced 'The Lady Sansa Stark' and retreated to stand to the right and rear of the iron throne. The girl was left standing, lost and alone in the vast space.
Joffrey, was perched at the edge of his throne, his eyes fixed upon Sansa malevolently. 'So, what do you have to say for yourself?' 'My Lord?' ventured Sansa tentatively. Her voice was brittle and thin and she seemed to be finding it hard to get the words out. 'Don't lie to me, wolf bitch; my dog has told me what you have been getting up to in that godswood!' The little colour in Sansa's face drained and she went milky white, her eyes growing large and wide. Her hands were claws at her sides. Her gaze swung across to rest on him and he gazed ahead taking care to remain impassive and inscrutable.
Ser Dontos, some bloody Florian he mused. She would have had more chance of that broomstick horse he rode, carrying her off. It hadn't taken much to discover what had been going on. Joffrey had wanted him to keep a watch on the girl and so he had. It hadn't taken much to make the fool spill his secrets and beg for mercy like the craven that he was. What a naive little bird, with her dreams of knights and fair maids. He had tried to warn her but it would seem she would learn the hard way about the shit that masqueraded for honour in this place.
'A good dog can sniff out all manner of treasons, even those carried out under the guise of piety,' Joffrey continued. 'If you think, I am willing to overlook your blasphemies, you are mistaken.' Sansa looked bewildered. 'My lord?' she questioned, sounding desperate now. 'We pray, to the seven here' Joffrey retorted. 'I will not have my betrothed bleating to some northern tree gods here; no doubt praying for that traitor brother of yours to have success in battle.'
Clegane, saw the sudden realisation cross her face, that Joffrey did not know the truth of it and what that meant. The thing was he was still not sure himself why he had been unable to hand the truth to his king. He had never baulked before, at any task asked of him, even riding down that idiot butcher's boy the other Stark whelp had been so fond of. He was a dog and he knew his place, or at least he had. He was on shifting sand and the boundaries were blurring.
'Well?' Joffrey shouted his anger flaring now. 'My Lord' Sansa stated and something in the change of her tone made Clegane stiffen imperceptibly. Her head had lifted and she seemed to stand straighter, a calm resolution clear in her blue eyes. 'I have been bereft, away from the place I once called home and having to face the fact that my family are traitors to the true king.' Sansa paused, controlling the moment, before continuing, 'I mistakenly looked to seek solace in the Gods of the North, to assuage my grief. I promise you, my Lord that although I sought to banish my loneliness, I have only ever prayed for your good health and fortune. Please do punish me for my disobedience, I am but a weak girl and need to learn if I am to have any hope of becoming a fitting queen.' She bowed her head and curtseyed politely at Joffrey.
Seven bleedin' bells cursed Cleagane inwardly, what a moment for the little bird to find her courage. He watched Joffrey eyeing Sansa suspiciously, momentarily flummoxed by this unexpected behaviour. 'Very well' snapped Joffrey, a punishment you will have and may you learn a lesson from it. However, if I hear of any more of this nonsense, Ser Ilyan may well have another head to put on the walls next to your father's.'
'Ser Meryn,' Joffrey commanded. Ser Meryn Trent obediently stepped forward 'you heard, my lady. She wishes to be chastised for her behaviour.' As Ser Meryn drove his mailed fist into the girl's stomach and she gasped and fell to the ground Clegane saw the sadistic pleasure spread over the King's face. Unexpectedly he felt a knife turn in his stomach and he looked away suddenly sickened.
However, instead of staying on the ground and crying for forgiveness the girl had regained her feet. She looked straight at the king, her composure intact, her face impassive. Joffrey looked displeased and ordered Ser Meryn to strike her again and harder this time. This time he laid the flat of his sword across the back of her thighs; once, twice, three times. She cried out as the blows struck, the third making her legs buckle beneath her sending her face first into the floor. Then she struggled, cheek grazed and blood trickling from her lip once again to her feet to stare directly at the King. This is insanity Clegane thought. This will be her undoing. It was all for nought.
The King's face was flushed now and he was becoming agitated. 'This was particularly treacherous behaviour. Maybe, more is needed for you to truly learn your lesson.' He smirked at Sansa who gazed back unflinching, 'Ser Meryn, make her naked and beat her bloody.' Ser Meryn, immediately seized Sansa, and there was a ripping sound as his dagger sliced through the soft silks she wore leaving her bare from the waist upwards. She gasped, grabbing at the torn remnants of her dress seeking to cover herself.
'Enough.' The statement rang from Clegane's mouth, unbidden. 'Enough!' raged Joffrey. 'I'll be the one to judge that, dog.' Then Joffrey, stopped and a slow smile crept across his face. 'Maybe, you should be the one to strike the last blow,' he said thoughtfully. 'I think maybe, a kiss from a Hound, would suffice?'
A hot humiliation flared in his chest and the burned side of his face twitched. The girl's punishment was now to be his punishment. For the first time, his hand still resting on his sword hilt yearned to draw it and cut the whole fuckin' lot of 'em down. Instead, he steeled himself and marched over to her pulling her close. His lips, grazed her ear and he whispered, 'I am sorry, little bird.' Then he pressed his mouth to hers forcing it open. He could taste the blood in her mouth, from where she was bleeding. She did not resist as he kissed her, gently at first. Shit, he thought, fight me girl or it will not be enough for him. He wants to see you suffer. He caught a hand around the back of her neck bearing down on her forcefully blocking off her air as he kissed her roughly now. Desperate for air, she started to struggle, frantically trying to push him off her to no effect and then she went still.
He felt her go limp in his arms and looked up. Joffrey sat staring at them both, a greedy look on his face drinking in his destruction, well satisfied with the turn of events. 'Very good, dog' he said, 'now take her out of my sight.' Clegane, looked at him for a moment then pulled off his white cloak and wrapped the girl in it. He lifted her effortlessly and walked straight towards the doors. A silent rage was starting to build.