Chapter 2

Sansa never forgot her courtesies. "My Lord... Sandor, it was so fortunate for you to have come upon me... Just in time..." She paused for a moment, as tears pricked her eyes, then choked out, "I cannot begin to express my gratitude!" If her arms hadn't already been wrapped around his neck she would have thrown them around him in that moment anyhow. He did not say anything back and Sansa began to feel foolish about her display of emotion.

Her thoughts kept wanting to wander to what might have happened had he not been there, but she firmly shut them out. I'll deal with it later.

After a moment of staring ahead into the forest she realized she was still being carried by this large, mysterious man. "Well" She began. "I do believe I am quite capable of walking on my own now, thank you." She said with an unintentional edge to her voice, but the closeness of this hulking stranger was starting to overwhelm her. Even though he had just saved her life, she was still apprehensive. Sansa was finally taking in the great size of him, how strong he was, he carried her as if she weighed nothing more than a bundle of sticks. She had never been this close to such a man before and it made her thoughts all fuzzy. Not to mention, he could probably break her in half with minimal effort, should he have a mind to do so.

"All right." Sandor finally said, stopping and setting her down not ungently.

Sansa stood for a moment, then bent to smooth her skirts, brushing off a few leaves, twigs, and dirt that had collected on them from her little spell. Suddenly, her hands began to shake. The realization of what had just transpired hit her full force, she felt all her strength leave and a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Sansa's knees buckled and she fell to the ground once again with a sob.

She was picturing the terrible face of the beast as it had come towards her, teeth bared, growling so low in its chest, it was almost a purr. She was shaking all over and tears were flowing freely."What was that creature?! What did it want with me?!" Sansa cried out, not really expecting an answer. Her eyes were squeezed shut, so she wasn't looking at Sandor, or she might have noticed how he tried to keep the right side of his face turned away from her, she might also have noticed a look that might have been guilt flash across his stark features, before a scowl replaced it.

"Hungry most like. Why else do beasts roam the woods at night… but to find something tasty to eat? What in the bloody hells were you doing out here at this hour anyway?!" Sandor spat out. The reproach in his voice surprised her and she looked up at him confused and ashamed. He stood there, stubbornly staring off into the darkness.

After a moment, he reached his hand down, to help her up off the ground and said more gently, "Come on now girl, you're all right. Best we get you home quick as we can, it's very late now." Taking her arm as she steadied herself. He let go of her once she had her feet, and they continued on towards Sansa's home, with Sandor a pace or two behind her.

Sansa was so tense and distracted she walked the rest of the way to her home in silence, wringing her hands. It seemed like an entire lifetime had passed from this afternoon when she had left, until the moment she finally laid eyes on the outline of her father's cottage in the darkness. As soon as she spotted it, she stopped walking. She could taste the relief, cool as water, on her tongue. Sansa had never been as happy to see her home as she was now, and all at once weariness settled over her like a heavy quilt.

When Sandor made a noise from behind her after such a long silence, Sansa nearly jumped out of her skin. She whirled around to face him, but he casually turned his head to look into the forest once more, she narrowed her eyes at that, but chose to ignore it. She had almost forgotten he was following her. He was unusually quiet for such a big man...

Sandor cleared his throat. "I should probably leave you here then… What was your name girl?"

Sansa's hands flew to her mouth, "Oh! I'm so sorry! That was incredibly inconsiderate of me not to offer it earlier! Sansa, my name is Sansa, My Lord." She recovered gracefully at the end and did a small curtsey.

Sandor just laughed. "No need to apologize Sansa, you have just had the fright of your life I expect." His face fell. "Maybe you won't be going out alone in the woods so late from now on, eh?"

Sansa was thankful it was so dark or else he would have been able to see the blush that was creeping up her face. She lowered her head and mumbled, "I suppose not, ser."

She raised her eyes to try and meet his but he was still facing away from her. He looked bored. As if he would rather be anywhere else, than right here talking with her. It was a situation she was not familiar with. Usually men could not keep their eyes off her, and the boys found new ways and all manner of reasons for stumbling upon her when she was in town. Not that she had ever particularly liked their attention, it was just something that had always happened.

A dark cloud passed over her fair features. "I am thankful for your assistance all the same, ser, goodnight." With that said she curtly turned away and started walking hastily towards her home, wondering why she craved some stranger's attention in the first place.

Sandor just stood there and watched her go. He did not turn to leave until he saw her silhouette disappear inside.

Safe in her bed, Sansa finally began digesting everything that had happened. She grew incredibly confused and unsettled the more she thought about it all. Why was this man in the woods so late in the first place? He was barely dressed! He had no hunting equipment, no weapon, just himself. How could he have scared the fearsome beast away without a sword or bow? A dagger maybe? But surely that would not do much damage to such a creature, a mosquito bite only. Where did the beast go? Did he kill it? He didn't seem to have any blood on him. Why was he not afraid or even winded? Why wouldn't he look at me?

The thoughts kept piling up and up until sleep seemed impossible. She could still feel his warm skin against her cheek and his hands cradling her body. It was far from an uncomfortable feeling and it left her puzzled. Most men she knew made her feel annoyed and exasperated, even a little nauseated. They spouted exaggerated tales of bravery and glory while she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth left from having to fuss and gush over them. Obligated to puff up their already inflated egos, lest she anger her father and displease a potential suitor. Any other man she knew would have already told her the tale of slaying the beast, declare he would take its head home to mount on the wall for a trophy. A tribute to his courage and great strength for all to see!

Sandor, the unusual man that he certainly must be, had left her quite flustered. He had barely spoken at all, and when he had, it was quite honestly a bit rude. All her courtesies and good sense had flown out the window the minute she had regained consciousness. At the time, she had chalked it up to just narrowly escaping what would most likely have been a very gruesome and savage death. Not saying that did not play a large part, but something about Sandor was making shivers run up and down her spine, one minute turning her blood to fire and the next to ice. Well, it's not like I'll ever have to see him again. The feeling that thought gave her was not as comforting as it was meant to be. Her eyes were quite heavy by now and despite the queer direction of her thoughts she finally slid into a fitful sleep.

*Have made a few revisions as of 9/10/2014