Sandor.

He stood, as usual – silent in the great hall, listening to the little shit drone his usual rubbish, the throne had made the boy more of an idiot than he was, the poor people suffered more every day the little bastard was on the throne. And so did he.

"Dog, How is your wife – I hear she's finally stopped her crying." Joffery smiled at that, looking directly upon him, hoping for a reaction.

"She's fine." He grunted, looking away from the boy. Joffery knew how to wind him up, and little did the boy know he was close to breaking point.

"Well, she doesn't have to fear for long, dog, for once Margery is pregnant – i'm sure it'll be soon." He arrogantly grinned, being careful as he leaned against the twisted iron of the throne. "I shall pay little Sansa my attentions, I'm sure that'll cheer her up, you won't be hearing her crying after that." He smirked directly towards him. He felt his blood boil, the thought of his hands on Sansa infuriated him to the core. "Aye...you do that." He looked away again, but it was in vain as the king summoned his attentions again. This time it was the boy who was annoyed. "I'll do it, don't you act as if I won't." His voice an octave higher than it's usual drone. His dismissal had pissed the kid off.

"I never said you wouldn't." Sandor felt suddenly awkward, shifting his weight onto his other leg. He didn't like were this was going. The boy stood up, adjusting his armour. It was quite pathetic on him, although it bulked the boy out and made him look more manly, it also highlighted his rather thin, wimp-like frame. "Why don't I go visit her now, if you'd prefer?" The boy went to walk off, his intentions for Sansa clear. That movement made him snap.

Sandor walked forward, his hand now placed upon the boy's shoulder. "I wouldn't, If I were you." His voice a surprisingly calm rasp. The boy looked slightly shocked, his eyes glued to Sandor's hand. "What are you doing, get off of me!" He shrugged the hand off, looking extremely pissed off at Sandor's bold movement. "You dare defy me?" The boy's voice rose, a brave little shriek from the king. It was high pitch and made him look like a girl. "I'm your KING!" Sandor's lips twitched slightly, he couldn't help but laugh. "Aye, You are." His laugh was unending. It drew the attention of the court, and embarrassed the boy which stood in front of him. "You are my dog, you don't laugh, you stay silent and obey!" That just set Sandor off again.

He unclipped his cloak, allowing the thick white material to sink to the floor. "Not any more."

He watched as Joffery flushed a deathly pale, and then straight to a brilliant shade of red.

"You can't, You can't just quit, I own you Hound!" At this point the little boy was just shrieking, having a tantrum. Sandor walked past the thin figure of the boy, glaring at any of the kings guard and men to try and stop him. They knew better.

"If you walk out that door, I will have your head." The boy shouted as much as his puny little voice would permit. It did nothing to change his mind.

"I'd like to see you try, boy." And with a harsh cackle he walked from the great hall, hearing the many shouts and insults of the boy through the great hall. He'd never seen the 'king' so mad.

He was smiling. But he knew he had to get the little bird and get her out of here, now.

He felt his legs drag him forth, snatching Sansa from the hands of her handmaiden the moment she was in his line of sight. He didn't listen to a single word she spoke, he was more focused on getting her the hell away from the place. Once they gathered the essentials and he briefly explained, they were on their way from kings landing. This should have happened sooner.

Once finally free of the walls of kings landing. They remained quiet, deathly silent.

She clung to him, even through his armour he felt the gentle strain of her arms. He could spare no time for rest, Joffery would send people after them. Stupid little shit.

They rode for hours, he felt Sansa flop against his back, the girl needed rest.

Where would they sleep?

He grunted. He knew this was too much for him to handle. But he couldn't help it.

She needed his help. He needed her, and she wanted to be free.

He couldn't help but think that she'd want to be rid of him now, and yet with all the time they spent together, surely she must like him a bit more? She had tried to seduce him twice. Maybe there was hope.

The day drew to a peaceful close, the sun bidding a farewell and settling into the night, the sky was a gentle orange/red, it looked strangely beautiful.

He felt a twinge of pain in his legs, they had been riding for hours. But he couldn't stop. He dreaded to think how Sansa was, she wasn't accustomed to such long rides. But she was still asleep.

He moved her in front of him, using his arms to keep her upright on the horse.

She looked so peaceful, leaning on his chest. It was cute.

His thoughts were continuously disrupted by the twinges of pain in his thighs. He knew he'd have to make a camp somewhere, he couldn't ride forever and he was already feeling the effects.

I feel old.

He grunted, he usually didn't feel the effects of his age, and suddenly here he was, knowing he was getting too old for this. But he knew that before Sansa his life seemed meaningless, his only goal was getting revenge on his brother. Gregor.

His name still made his blood boil. Fucking twat.

Nothing would give him satisfaction than to see his brother burn, to know he finally understood his pain. But then it still wouldn't be enough. To know he got to die, not suffer his childhood being stared at, being rejected. Unloved.

He looked back at Sansa, sighing.

This girl brought him a strange hope...maybe one day she'd love him?

To be loved...

he wasn't worthy of the emotion, never mind from such a high born lady, such a pretty little thing.

She was so vulnerable, small in his arms. He looked ahead at the empty road. It wouldn't be long until they reached the dock. Once there, they could travel over the narrow sea. Safe.

Braavos was where they were going. He didn't know anyone there, and sure enough nobody knew him. He had enough gold from the tourney to give them a good start, a home and decent food surely. He could easily find a job, either as a swordsman, guard...maybe even more grafting work, he was strong enough. He could handle it. Especially if it was for her. The little gift from the seven asleep in his arms. He smelt her lemon scented hair, sighing against her firey locks.

He was a lucky man, through such a twisted fate he was able to hold her, laugh with her.

He had never felt such fond feelings for someone before, not since his family. Before the burns.

After the incident with Gregor it was as if he lost all emotional connection with his family. They were just people to him, none of them of importance or significance in his eyes, and yet, with her he felt...safe. She couldn't protect him, not physically. She was tiny. But emotionally he felt trusting with her, strangely believing she wouldn't crush his heart and soul in her tiny palm like he believed many a woman would. She was different, pure, sweet even. Innocent.

She knew of his crimes and didn't judge, she saw his face and feared it, grew to look at him with more than just fear and loathing. He felt his lips twitch. He shouldn't think of this too much, he couldn't get his hopes up. He couldn't bare the pain if she rejected him. It would be too much to bare.

He brought stranger to a stand still, bringing him to a running creak to have a well deserved rest and drink, the poor horse was tired, carrying not only the weight of Sandor – but little Sansa too, and the supplies. He was truly worn out.

As Sandor dislodged himself from the saddle and carefully placed Sansa in his arms, he felt his legs stiffen. This would be very sore in the morning. Very..very sore..Fuck.

He grunted bitterly, knowing it had to be done. They were a long way from kings landing. Not far enough, but it was a start. He set up their bed rolls and anxiously made a fire, inching away from the sparks until it was ignited. He hated the task, but it needed to be done.

He lay her delicate little frame on the bed roll, covering her with a thin blanket, barely anything. But better than nothing. She looked so sweet. His lips twitched again at the sight. He dragged his own bed roll closer to her, but maintained a distance. He didn't want to push any boundaries. You've shared a bed for god sake. He grunted at his thoughts, looking at Sansa, he felt his lips turn into a rare, genuine smile.

Sansa

Sansa stretched her arms, they had a dull ache. She hadn't expected the resistant aching. As she awoke she looked around, Sandor lay, asleep on his bed roll a short distance from her. And the remains of a fire flickered, barely lit but still it had traces of life.

Stranger was tied to a tree, close to river so he was able to take the occasional drink.

He looked peaceful, though Sansa knew better than to trust how he looked. He was prone to sudden mood swings, and he was grumpy. Just like someone we know...

Sandor grumbled in his sleep, shuffling and becoming restless. He was rather adorable when he slept, there were nights when she had awoke, and simply lay watching him.

Adorable was usually never a word to be associated with Sandor, he was known for his brutal actions and battle and fierce appearance, and even Sansa knew better than to tell him when he was awake, and yet, she couldn't help but smile and watch moved her own bed roll so it lay directly next to his. As she lay back down she stared at the sky. It was medium shade of blue. The sun was glanced at the giant form at her side, knowing he would soon be had been married for almost three weeks...

Her husband. Not that he's happy about it.

She sighed. Sandor was too caring, he worried that he'd hurt her, and yet he was oblivious that regardless of hurt, it was what she wanted. And she knew he wanted it too.

Yet all they did was deny each other and live a lie. It was stupid.

But a part of her was terrified.

The other was excited, eagerly anticipating the moment when they'd finally be together, in a husband-wife kind-of way..

She noticed Sandor moved more vigorously in his sleep, and then he came to a halt.

He was awake.

She felt his burning grey eyes upon her. "What're you doing there." his rasp was strained and low, he was still very much asleep.

"I was cold." She smiled rather sheepishly, hoping he bought her excuse.

Really, she was lonely.

"Oh." He didn't bother making further conversation, he busied himself with preparing for another day's riding. She still had no idea where they would go. Winterfell maybe? The vale?

She lay back, watching him prepare Stranger for riding. He then busied himself with packing up their belongings and giving her some bread. She mumbled a thank-you and let him continue clearing up. The fire by this time had burned out, leaving ash and other left over signs of its existence. He knocked the small piles over, rubbing them into the ground and making them appear less obvious, more hidden. If you hadn't known it was there, you wouldn't have seen it.

He wasted no time in putting her back on the horse, she was still nibbling at her bread as he helped her mount. He positioned himself behind her, allowing her to be encased within his massive arms. She felt surprisingly safe in his grasp.

"Where are we going." She leaned her head back, watching his jaw clench before he spoke.

"Somewhere safe." He grunted, looking down upon her for a short moment. His lips twitched after he looked upon her. At least he was smiling, well, his way of smiling anyway.

"Where's that?" She stared ahead at the road, sighing to herself as he went quiet. She wasn't going to get an answer. "I don't mind, I'm just wondering, that's all, any place will do..."

Still, nothing.

She set her focus on the road ahead, grunting to herself as he went quiet. She hated him silent. It was awkward and tense.

She missed the playful side of him, even when he was drunk he used to joke around and sing a song or two. Yet, when he was serious he was absorbed in his tasks. It annoyed her. "Did you sleep well?"...he still said nothing.

"I did, if you wanted to know – but I suppose you don't care much." She looked down at her hands, sighing to herself once again. "I had a wonderful dream, perhaps you'd want to know?"

He didn't bother replying, answering only with the same deadpan expression and none existent voice. "I'll take that as a yes." She knew how to get under his skin, but she felt her cheeks blush before she even began.

"We...kissed." She paused. Glancing upwards at the deadpan look. Nothing. She grunted, he must be playing a game with her, surely?

She decided to match his silence. They remained that way for at least an hour. Unwavering silence.

"Anyway, in this dream.." She finally broke the quiet. He grunted a little, it was better than nothing.

"We did more than kissing, really." Her cheeks blushed, she felt her face heat up. She did all she could to pin her gaze on her hands. "You were...holding me." She felt him shift behind her, he was uncomfortable. She didn't know if it was with her words, or simply the enduring of the travel, but she decided to continue and find out.

"You kissed me here." She pointed at her neck. He shifted, again.

"All the way down.." She didn't need to point for that description. He grunted, she smiled, knowing he was actually listening. "Then we made lo-.." She felt his massive hand suddenly clasp over her lips. Silencing her. She shouted over his hand, but it was no use. Her words were muffled and indistinguishable. It was all just muffled rubbish. "That's better." he smirked, keeping his hand over her mouth as the journey continued.

They finally reached the destination Sandor had been heading for.

Sansa knew it was a port, they were heading towards a docked ship. She had no idea were they were going, which port it was, but she knew it was across the narrow sea. She suddenly felt giddy.

She had heard tales of places across the narrow sea, tales of beauty and elegance and wonders. All to be seen. She couldn't even ask where they were going, as Sandor's massive hand had remained over her lips, silencing any questions she may have asked. There was no use trying.

They quickly boarded the ship, Sandor paid off the man who stood on the docks, paying for a single room with one bed, large enough for two. He muttered into her ear, something about it being safer if we were closer, that the men on this ship would be more than interested in a girl. The raunchy nature of Sailors wasn't unknown. It made Sansa's stomach twist with slight anxiety, although she knew she'd be safe enough with Sandor at her side.

He had finally released her lips once they reached their room. She wondered why he continued to hold her lips closed as they boarded the ship. The looks of the men as they watched his hand on my mouth had been evidence it wasn't normal affair, they'd be suspicious and now curious to what they were doing here. Surely, he knew that?

"You stay here, girl, I don't want you leaving the room unless I'm with you." He grunted, staring at her for a long moment. "Okay" Her voice was a simple squeak. "Good.." He rasped at her, looking strangely tired. He made him look older.

Although almost twice Sansa's age, he never seemed to look that old to her, until now.

His eyes, sunken with lack of sleep showed his ageing features with more definition.

"You best sleep, it's a long journey ahead." As she lay on the uncomfortable bed, she sighed. Her muscles all relaxed and relished the better boardings. So much better than the thin bed roll on the floor, her muscles savoured the feeling of the mattress, her body became instantly curled under the blankets. She felt her eyelids grow heavy, fast.

Her lips parted, giving way for a yawn. "S-...Sandor, where are we going?" she looked up from the blankets, being further pushed to sleep by the gentle rockings of the boat. She wouldn't be awake for long. "You'll know soon enough, girl – Sleep." His voice was almost commanding, silencing her and it was the final encouragement for her to finally rest. She felt her eyes close and her mind drift into it's own little world.

Sorry about the growing waits, I'm not feeling so well. Hopefully the next chapter will be either tomorrow or the following day.

Thanks,

J.