When Megena woke the next morning, she was surprised. She did not remember him getting into bed beside her, nor did she remember taking his hand. She rolled over on her back. "Oh." she whispered.

"Go back to sleep." Sandor mumbled.

"No. You must eat, and I am sure that you wish to practice for the sword."

Sandor opened his eyes, "Damn you woman."

Afraid that she had angered him, Megena moved away from him on the bed and said, "What? What have I done?"

"Quiet girl. I'm not angry. Just don't want to get out of bed, is all." he said as he sat up in bed, taking his shirt in hand. "You're staring girl."

Megena's cheeks reddened and she lowered her head. "I'm sorry." she said.

Sandor smiled over at the girl, "Don't be. You like the way I'm built." he laughed.

"I...fine. I do." she admitted, as she began to brush her hair.

"Are you going to watch me today?" he asked.

"Only if you want me to." she answered, as she rose from the bed.

"You should come. Wear that pink thing I got you if you do."

Megena reddened once again, as she fetched the light pink gown from her travel bag. "Something wrong, girl?" he asked.

"No...it's...the gown. I've never had one of my own before." she said, placing the gown on the bed.

Sandor stood behind her and whispered, "Put it on."

Megena nodded, "I shall if you turn around."

"No." Sandor said, as he pulled the sash that held her robe to her body. As the front of the robe fell open, Megena clung to the fabric and held it closed. "No." Sandor said, pushing her hand away. "Change now." he said, pushing the thin fabric off of her shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Megena asked, as the robe fell to her waist.

"Nothing, girl." he said, running one of his large, calloused fingers down her bare back. He laughed quietly, as Megena's knees buckled before him. "Careful now, best be putting on that dress."

"Yes." she said, as she removed the dress, and allowed to fall tot he floor.

As Megena stood bare before him, a large part of Sandor Clegane wanted to push her down on the bed and take her. He imagined what taking her would be like for him, to have her begging, and willing.

"Does it look well?" Megena asked, turning to face him, her body now covered in pink silk.

"Looks fine." he said, his eyes falling towards the low neckline fo the gown.

"Could you tie off the back for me?" she asked, looking up to him.

"Don't know how."

"Try. I am no contortionist ser." she laughed, turning her back towards him.

Sandor glared at her back, and took the tiny string in his fingers. "Damn you, woman." he said, as he tightened the lacing. "No fucking idea what I am doing back here."

Megena laughed, "You're doing fine, Sandor." she said.

Sandor sighed loudly, as he tied off the lacing, "I think I'm done."

"You've done well, ser." Megena said, turning around and facing him. "Shall we go down and have some breakfast?"

Sandor nodded, "Sure." he said.

As they walked down the stairs together, Sandor took notice of all the stares that Megena was attracting. He knew the low-cut of the dress was a mistake. His jealousy began to grow, no one was supposed to look at her like that, unless it be him.

"What is wrong? Are you unwell?" Megena asked Sandor as he began to tremble with rage.

"Nothing. You look a little too good is all." he said.

Megena's cheeks reddened, "I'm glad you like it."

They began to weave their way through the busy tavern as a man called out, "Oy, ugly...that's a pretty one you've got there. How much does she cost a night!?"

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Sandor growled, stepping towards where the man was sitting.

The man laughed, "Going to keep her as a pet, are you?"

Sandor stepped closer to him, "You will shut your fucking mouth, now."

"Go and sit down big man, go back to that tasty little whore." the man said, his voice now slightly toned with nervousness.

Sandor then drew back his fist, and three times it made a connection to the mans face. Before he was able to stroke him a fourth time, he felt a little hand on his arm. "Let him be, Sandor. It does matter what he says."

Much to the surprise of all Sandor followed Megena back to their table. They ate in silence for a few moments before Megena looked up from her bowl of porridge and asked, "Why does everyone think that I am a whore?" she asked.

"Because you're with me. None but a whore would ever be seen with this ugly face." Sandor said.

"I am sorry." Megena said, feeling true sorrow for the man sitting before her.

Sandor took a large swig of his morning ale and said, "I don't like people thinking that you're a whore."

"I have been called worse." Megena said with a shrug of her tiny shoulders. "Are you nervous for today's contest?"

"No. Been doing things like this for ten years, ever since I left home."

"Ten?!" Megena said, "So young."

"Left home the day after my sister died. Only came back three years ago, when I got word of the deaths of my mother and father."

"You poor thing." Megena said, taking his hand that he had rested on the table.

Sandor looked down at her tiny hand in his, and removed it from him. "Don't do that." he said.

Megena took his hand again and said, "I want to."

"Why?"

Megena smiled over at the scarred man and smiled, "It's comfortable, I suppose."

"We should go. I need to go and ready myself for the day." he said, rising from his seat.

"I look forward to seeing you in armor." Megena said, "and your sword. I have never seen you use it before."

"Well, you'll be seeing it soon enough." he said, placing her arm in his.

Together they walked through the crowded room, and as they neared the exit Megena's grip on his forearm tightened. "Gods girl, don't break my fucking arm." he hissed, "What's wrong with you?"

"My father. He's here. At the counter." she said, as she pointed to a rotund, balding man with grey hair.

Sandor placed a protective arm around her shoulders and ushered her out of the inn. "Poor girl." he whispered, as he took her gently into his arms. "Let's go to that tree and sit down for a bit."

Sandor then guided Megena to a nearby tree, and together they sat beneath its shade.

"You should go, Sandor. I'll be alright." she said.

Sandor knelt before her, and stared into her sky-blue eyes. "Do not lie to me."

"I am stronger than you think, ser." Megena said.

"I do not doubt that, I just do not want you falling apart." he said.

"I would never put on such a display in public. I would never shame you like that."

Sandor frowned at her as he noticed that tears had begun to form in her eyes, "Go on and cry girl."

Megena took her hand, and wiped away her tears. "He does not deserve my tears. He deserves my dagger in his neck." Megena said as she stood, and brushed grass off of her dress. "Making me sit in grass and dirt in a new dress...I shall never understand you Sandor Clegane."

Sandor could not lie to himself. That Megena could go from crying, to lethal, to laughing frightened him. As he glanced over at her as they walked he knew. He knew that this night, her father would die. "Don't do it Megena." he said.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"I have killed before, girl. You've got the same look in your eyes that I have had in mine before I took a life." he said, "You'll get caught, and beheaded."

"That does not scare me." she said.

"It scares me, girl. Don't do it." he said, as they neared the arena.

"You could help me, you know." she said calmly.

"What?"

"Nothing. Nevermind. I wish you the best of luck." she smiled, kissing his large hand.

Robert stood leaning against a wall, wondering if Megena would even show today. Just as he was about to leave the stable, he saw her perfect face smiling over at him. "You look different." he said, taking his bow in his hand.

"A new dress, and a bath." she said.

"Where's that large man, the ugly one?" Robert asked.

"He is not ugly." she said. "He is readying himself for the sword."

"You plan on watching him, don't you?" he asked.

"Yes, I do."

Robert took her hand, "Don't. When he is in his match, we should leave. He'll be too busy to notice that you've gone."

"I shall never leave him." Megena said, removing her hand from his.

Robert, growing frustrated threw down his bow and gripped Megena's arm, "He and his brother will do nothing but rape and murder you. Is that the life you want?"

Megena easily freed herself from his grasp, and walked from his side. "Yes. If he is in it, yes." she said, walking back towards the inn.

As she entered the inn, she was shocked to find it empty. There were only four patrons inside, all of them drunk. At the counter stood her father. Megena walked slowly to his side, her mind thinking of nothing but revenge. "Hello, father." she said.

Her father turned towards her, "I thought I had gotten rid of you." he said.

"You did, along with our land."

"Where's that husband of yours, eh? Need more coin for some drink. Am thirsty here." he said, his words becoming more and more slurred.

Megena leaned in closer to her father, taking in his putrid smell. "I've got coin father, in my room. Come with me, and I shall give you some."

Her father slapped his hand down on the counter and said, "See Pasall, I'll get the coin I owe. This pretty girl here will see to it. Give it here, girl."

"I will give you nothing while you sit here, father." she said, "What number is your room?"

"Twelve." the innkeeper answered.

"Lead the way father. And Pasall, please, send a bath to my room. I feel quite filthy." she said, smiling at the kind older man.

Megena followed her stumbling father up the stairs, and to his room. As he opened the door, the scent fo his filth slapped hr int he face with great force. She nearly lost her breakfast on his floor, "Sit down, father. I need to fetch the coin from my room."

"Hurry up then, you stupid little bitch!" he shouted as she exited his room.

When Megena returned, she saw that her father had fallen asleep in his chair. She knelt beside him, and placed the small bag of coin in his lap. As he stirred Megena's grip on her hidden dagger tightened as she said, "I am sorry, papa."

A/N:

Do you think she'll do it? Really?! As always, thanks for reading! -M