The plans are being laid... maybe some revenge should be on its way?

SANDOR

He strode purposefully across the castle, a plan starting to form. There were many dangers to taking to the road with a girl weak from her injuries but his suspicions had been confirmed. She could not stay here. His anger had been replaced by a calm deadly intent and his mind was clear. Whether in this life or the next, he was going to make them pay for their sins. There was much to do to prepare for their flight but first he needed to see her.

He rapped impatiently at the door and without waiting for a response walked in. Sansa was alone propped up on the bed against a pile of pillows. On sight of him, her eyes went wide and her hands leapt to her throat. Seven hells he thought, what the hell did you expect dog? The last time she saw you, you choked her unconscious; of course she is terrified of you. A sharp pain, borne of her reaction went through his chest. He stopped next to her bed, suddenly indecisive, at a loss for words. For what seemed like an eternity, they both remained frozen.

Then Sansa raised her chin and looked straight into his eyes. The shock that coursed through him was palpable. It was though those clear blue eyes were reading his very soul. This time, despite all the times he had admonished her for not looking directly on his face, it was he that couldn't look on her and his eyes dropped to the floor breaking the contact.

SANSA

She had heard the heavy footsteps outside and knew that someone was coming for her. Then the banging at the door and then he, the Hound had burst in, filling the doorframe. As he stopped, looming large over the bed it evoked a memory. A memory, of him coming towards her and she had involuntarily grasped her throat with both her slender hands. She felt torn and confused unable to resolve the events of the previous day. The silence had stretched out, tension cracking in the air. Possessed of an unexpected courage she had raised her eyes to his searching for an answer and in that moment before he broke her gaze, in those stormy grey eyes she found it. She was safe. He did not mean her harm.

SANDOR

'Sandor' she said simply. 'Look at me.' Her soft voice rang in his ears. His heart was beating too fast; it felt ragged in his chest. With great difficulty he looked upon her again realizing how tiny and vulnerable she looked. Her hair fell in a tangle around her face and under her eyes were dark circles. His eyes fell on the marks fanning round her neck and the unfamiliar feeling of remorse flooded through him. Then the words came tumbling out halting and uncertain,

'I'm sorry! I'm sorry for what I did to you. I should have done something different, anything. I...'

She held out her hand, signaling for him to stop. Her voice was quiet and tremulous, 'You probably saved my life. I don't know what happened. I have been so frightened. Yet for some reason I could not bend to his will. Maybe, part of me wanted that, to escape, to be with my family and with my Lady guarding the North from above. For peace.'

If his resolution to take her from this place had been strong before, it was now made of valyrian steel. 'I will free you from your gilded cage, little bird. We will fly far from this place. Now you must heal enough to ride. That is the only path that is open to us and there is little time. Joffrey has bid me guard you to oversee your progress. He has ...' he paused struggling over what he needed to say, 'plans for you.' He had expected to see fear in her face but instead she looked upon him calmly, 'Thank you Ser. I would very much like to leave this place' and she inclined her head towards him. He felt that immediate feeling of irritation forming and a rebuke formed on his lips. Then he saw the shadow of a smirk on her lips and a sudden twinkle in her eye and he realised she was teasing him with her false courtesies and he started to laugh... and then so did she.