Having heard enough of Megena's tears, Duilya said "Enough of this." and walked upstairs to the room of Sandor. "Open this door." she said as she knocked on the door.
"Go away, woman." he said.
"I will if you apologize to the girl." Duilya said.
Duilya heard the bark-like laugh of her charge, "She'll be alright."
"She worked on your gift for three days. She hardly slept." she said, as she heard his footsteps ont he wooden floor. "You should have seen her excitement when she saw you arrive home." The door creaked open, "She cares for you, little pup. You're her protector."
"I'm not her Guard. She'll be in the care of Gregor soon enough." Sandor said, as he opened the door to his room, allowing Duilya to enter.
"I know you care for her, Sandor. I see how you look at her." Duilya said.
"I pity her. She doesn't deserve to suffer as I did." he said, kicking his travel bag into the corner. As it slid across the room, Duilya saw coming from it, a light pink sleeve.
"So, your pity bought her a new gown, did it?" she laughed.
"It did. She's never had something of her own, she deserv-stop looking at me like that." he said, "Bed, dog." The large man then helped ease his heavily burdened dog on his bed. Duilyacould not help but smile as she watched him treat the dog with tenderness and respect. It had always caused her to smile widely when she saw him treat his animals with such kindness. For it was then, his true character showed.
"You care for her, there is no shame in it." Duilya said.
"She- it doesn't matter. She belongs to Gregor." he said.
"That does not matter, not now." Duilya said as she walked towards the door. "She is coming up the stairs now, try talking to her." As Duilya left his bedchamber her eyes met Megena's, "Goodnight, Megena." she said.
Megena smiled kindly at the old woman, and continued on her way towards her room. As she tended to the fire in her room, the youngest Clegane walked into her room. Megena rose, and stood before him in her thin nightshift. "Yes?" she asked.
Sandor did not respond immediately, for he was doing his best to control the thoughts that flashed through his mind upon seeing her so nearly bare. He coughed once loudly, and held out a rag to her. "Duilya went to sleep. Could you clean my eye for me?"
"Yes." Megena answered, as she dressed herself in her robe. "Sit down."
"Not there. The fi-"
"Fire. I understand." she said.
Sandor sat in a small wooden chair and watched Megena as she put out the fire. "You didn't have to do that." he said, as she lit a candle on the small table.
"I know." she said, taking the rag from his hand. "What is on this rag? It smells incredible..."
"Something Duilya made, might have mint in it. She made it when I was burned, it helps with the pain and swelling." he explained.
"Oh, I see." she said. Megena then stood before Sandor and placed the rag gently on his swollen eye. "could you move your hair for me, please? I need to put this to your cheek."
"No. Don't, it's fine." he said.
Megena sighed, and tucked his dark hair behind his ear, "Everyone has scars."
"None like mine." he said, as Megena tended to his cheek.
"Mine are hidden, but they still cause me pain and shame." she said, placing the rag on the table.
"At least yours do not strike fear into the hearts of all who see..."
"I am not going to sit here and compare scars, ser." Megena said, "Can you just be happy with knowing that you are the only one who has been hurt?"
"Fine, fine. Do you have any wine?" he asked.
"No. You may leave if it wine that you seek."
"It's fine. Water, if you've got it." he said, "Listen, I'm sorry about the shirts. It was kind of you."
"Yes, it was. I shall not trouble you again with such an act."
Sandor breathed heavily, trying to control his anger. "I had not gotten a gift since my mother..."
"Me as well." Megena said. "How is your eye?"
"Pain is gone. How is your-"
Megena laughed softly, as she tried to understand his strange behavior. "I hear that your dog shall give birth soon."
"Yes. In a week, most like. Her last litter didn't make it." he said. "She's a good beast, never been afraid of me. And is the only woman who has been in my bed who has not asked for coin."
"Surely that is not true, you must have loved once." Megena said as she reached out and touched his scarred cheek. No woman had ever willingly and without fear touched his face. The shock from her touch caused him to jump, and swat her hand away.
"Don't." he said.
"I am sorry. I simply wished to show you that your scars do not frighten me. You do not frighten me." she said.
"I know. You should be, though. " he said, sipping at his lemon-water. "Your scars, where are they?"
Megena stood, and removed her robe. She removed her arms from her night-dress as she turned her back to him. She slid the thing fabric down to her waist, "Here." she said.
Sandor turned his face away, such was his anger and horror. Her back was nothing but a scar.
"It ends at my legs." she said, placing her arms back through her sleeves.
Sandor stood, and walked towards her. "Who did this?" he asked.
"My father did. He used oil."
"I'll kill him, I will find him, and I will put a hole in his fucking stomach." he swore.
"Sit down." she said, "He'll kill himself. He is not worth your trouble."
Sandor was trembling with rage, how could one harm her? A fragile little bird? "I still want to kill him."
Megena laughed and sat beside him. "Perhaps we could kill him together one day." she said, as she began to brush her golden hair.
"It's long, that." Sandor said, pointing to her hair.
Megena smiled, "It is a chore to brush. I do so envy those fine women who has someone to do this for them."
"Bring your chair here, then. I can help." he said, wondering what her hair would feel like on his fingers.
"I'm nearly done."
"You don't want my filthy hands on you. I understand." he said, standing.
"Really, I was done. Please, do not get angry. " Megena said quietly.
"I have learned how to take rejection well, girl."
"You can brush it in the morning, if it's so damned important to you!" she shouted, throwing her brush down to the floor.
Sandor laughed, never had he heard her curse. It charmed him, more than her face or figure ever could.
"What are you laughing at?" she said, her blue eyes narrowed.
"Quite a mouth you've got."
"I was angry."
"Your true feelings. It is about time!"
"I shall use them while I am able." Megena said, as her thoughts drifted to her impending wedding.
"You don't have to lie to me, girl."
"My name is not 'girl'!" she shouted.
"Temper, temper." he laughed, "Megena."
"Very good, you remembered."
Sandor frowned, "I liked it better when you didn't talk as much."
"You're a liar." she laughed.
Sandor suddenly became serious in tone, "I never lie." he said, stepping closer to her.
"A rare quality in a man." Megena said, unable to meet his eyes.
Sandor stepped closer, "Still not afraid of me, are you?" he asked.
"Not at all." Megena answered, as she looked up into his eyes. "You may leave."
"And if I do not want to?" he asked.
Megena's blue eyes widened, "To stay in the room of your brother's intended? How shameful!"
At the mere mention of his brother, Sandor became angry. He then took hold of her tiny shoulders, and forced her into the nearest wall. "I hope he fucking dies." he said, "I hope he never makes it home."
"Please, let me go." Megena said, the fear clear in her voice. She struggled in his firm grasp, "Please...let me go."
"Did you hear me!? I hope Gregor dies. If I ever do one good thing in this world, it would be to see that bastard dead at my feet."
Megena closed her eyes, and turned her head away. "Finally afraid of this ugly face, are you? Good."
"Let me go!" she cried out, "please."
"Don't want to yet." he said.
"Are you drunk!? Please, release me!" Megena said, as a tear began it's journey down her cheek.
Sandor released one of her shoulders, and with a finger wiped the tear away. "I'll kill him if he hurts you." he whispered. "I'll protect you."
He leaned down, and rested his forehead on hers, "I won't let him hurt you."
A/N:
So, there's that. Where do they go from here? Does he simply wish to protect her, or is it something more? Do you think that they'll go off and search for her father? As always, thanks for reading! -M