Sorry I've been on a bit of a hiatus, but I'm back to writing! Thank you for your patience!
CHAPTER 7
"What the fuck do you mean you don't want to go back?" His voice was gruff with shock, and Sansa recoiled a bit before sitting up to look at him.
"My father is dead. If I go to Winterfell my mother will not be able to protect me; Joffrey and Cersei will find me and bring me back or kill me."
Sandor flinched at her words and Sansa took one of his large hands in both of hers.
"And no matter what I do," she continued softly, "I don't get you." She kissed his hand and before he had time to protest, she said, "you're kind; the only one who's been kind me. Besides, I cannot marry…now." She blushed and looked down.
Sandor closed his eyes but did not say anything for a long while, surprising the girl.
"What do you want to do then, little bird?" he asked finally, breaking the silence. Sansa looked up and frantically tried to come up with an idea.
"Braavos," she said, "or Dorne, perhaps." The big man barked a laugh.
"Braavos," he said, but his smile faded. "Alright." He said simply and Sansa once again looked at his ruined face that held no horror for her now.
"You'll come with me?" The Hound heaved an agitated sigh.
"For fuck's sake, girl. I'm not going to put you on a ship by yourself after I've ruined you."
They left the inn together, Sansa walking closely behind the Hound, her black cape swirling around her. People saw the big man but lost interest quickly. When they were outside, they went to the stables to fetch Stranger. As Sandor saddled the monster of a horse, Sansa felt brave enough to reach out and tentatively stroke his neck. The beast did nothing, ignored her even. The girl smiled to herself; perhaps she and the horse would one day get on.
Sandor finished saddling Stranger and came around to lift Sansa onto the saddle, his arms lingering on her waist longer than what was normal. Tentatively, the girl reached up to touch her lips to his. His eyes were shocked at first, but he relaxed after a moment, kissing her back quickly before hoisting her onto the huge animal and swinging up himself. She wrapped her arms securely around his ironclad waist before Stranger took off.
They reached a dock around midday, and Sansa saw many ships sailing into the port. A trading post, she thought to herself.
Without a word, Sandor swung down from the saddle and took Stranger's reigns in his hand, walking the beast over to where a sweaty man with sun-tanned skin was unloading crates. The man took one look at Sandor and wariness entered his eyes.
"What can I do for you, Ser?" he said, wiping one hand across his sweaty brow.
"I'm no Ser," the Hound barked, and Sansa winced at his venomous tone. "Do you know of any ships leaving to Braavos or Dorne?" The man thought for a moment.
"A merchant ship carrying spices leaves for Dorne in a few days, though I know of a ship leaving for Braavos within the day." Sandor nodded.
"Where can I find the captain of this ship?" The man pointed further down the dock to a big man with greasy black hair. Sandor nodded again and tossed a coin to the sweaty man. He walked Stranger down the dock and over to the greasy-haired man.
"Your ship travels to Braavos today?" Sandor asked gruffly and the man nodded in confirmation. "Do you have room for my wife and I? We're willing to pay."
The man looked at the girl on the horse and raised his eyebrows.
"Your wife is a fair woman, Ser. She is a welcome sight for sailors, too welcome, I think. Are you sure you want to put her on a ship?"
"Aye," the Hound said tensely, and Sansa saw him stiffen at the captain's words. The man shrugged his shoulders.
"Aye, I have an empty cabin then if you've the coin for it, but know that the waters to Braavos have a fair number of pirates."
Sandor nodded and tossed a purse of coins to the man, and he returned the nod in kind.
"Load up your beast and your woman, then. We leave within the day."
