Chapter Eight

"Lady Sansa, will you please come outside? I would like to show you something." Sansa Clegane turned her attention to the carriage door, where Willas Tyrell had poked his head in. The carriage had finally stopped for the first time in many hours. He hadn't wanted to stop until they were to the Keep, to be able to return as quickly as possible. During that time, Willas had been nothing, but a gracious host. He offered her platters of food for her to nibble on, many drinks to choose from, and had left her be to her own devices. She wanted to be polite, make conversation with the man who had given her a place to stay, but it was hard to bring any words to her mouth. The thought of coming to a new place as strange to her as King's Landing had been was terrifying. Willas didn't seem to mind her heavy silence and kept himself busy with his own books to read, which she was grateful for.

Now that the carriage had stopped, it would be good for her to stretch out. Despite the comfortable cushions, her back had started to ache and she began to feel restless. She kept her head low as she stepped out, asking Willas, "How far away are we from the Keep?" She took his offered hand as she stepped out onto the luscious green ground. A bit off, the sound of a splashing stream reached her ears.

"Turn around, milady, and you'll see." Immediately, she turned her attention behind her and almost gasped at the sight. Everything was just as she had read as a child. The Keep of High Garden was beautiful. The castle was more beautiful than Sansa could have ever imagined. The tiered walls were tall, reaching high into the sky with tanned stones discolored by the sun. Ivy climbed across the walls, the leaves beautiful greens and a dusting of reds. From her view below, she could just barely make out the marble colonnades behind the walls surrounding the Keep. She couldn't see it from her place now, but she knew High Garden was full of the most beautiful foliage, trees, and flowers imaginable and so many groves she could be there for days. The smell of the air was sweet and fresh, like a ripe peach.

Sansa almost couldn't believe this was where she would be staying now.

Lord Willas continued, "I thought perhaps you'd enjoy seeing the sights of High Garden rather than riding in that stifling carriage the entire way up. I can take you as far as you'd like, but I wasn't sure if you would rather rest for the evening."

"I can't believe this is your home," she told him, focusing on a red stoned pathway in front of them. She took his offered arm once more and let him lead her onto the pathway.

"It will be yours as well. I hope to make you feel safe and secure and that you are welcome to anything and everything you should need."

"Thank you," she murmured, glancing over her shoulder towards the party that was riding up.

As if reading her thoughts, Willas offered, "I told my Squire to make sure Ser Clegane knows where we are headed. I thought it best if we walked to the Keep by ourselves. There are a few other questions I have for you. Also, Maester Lomys is willing to meet with you as soon as you are ready, if there is any particular time of the day…"

"Perhaps on the morrow. I would like to speak with Sandor first before deciding anything. If I could let you know in the morning…?"

"Of course, that should be just fine, milady." Willas had continued to speak, but she was no longer paying attention to his words. Sansa glanced over her shoulder and spotted Sandor, just as he was riding up to the rest of the group of Knights. His expression was stony, a mix between anger and a look of longing, as if he wanted to come after her. To her surprise, he didn't stalk after them or even call out to her. He turned his attention back to Stranger and didn't look back. She stared after him for a moment longer and eventually turned her attention back to Willas.

The walk to the Keep wasn't long, but there were plenty of sights to take in along the way. Every time Sansa spotted something of interest, Willas was quick to jump in and spin a tale. Whether it was a story of the troll under the bridge they walked, a great siege that had happened at that hill, or why the beautiful statue of one of the Gods had been placed there, he told her everything he could. She laughed at his tales when she knew it was expected of her and made obvious observations, but Lord Willas didn't seem to notice or else he didn't care that she wasn't genuinely interested.

Her mind was still focused on not breaking down in a panic. She was worried about this place, if it would be a prison where she would have to fear for the life of her child and husband. All she wanted was to believe that she was free as Willas stated, but any trust she had in people were gone. She felt the overwhelming urge to go hide again and it took all of her willpower to not go. Her grip tightened on Willas' arm despite herself. For a brief moment, Sansa wondered if he hadn't noticed, but then he placed his hand on hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"There is no need to be so worried," Willas promised, that warm, friendly smile back on his face. "If there's anything that you might need to talk about or do, just let me know. We have your best intentions in mind, both Grandmother and I. She understands what it is I expect out of this, despite some of her previous plans."

He led her through an archway in the shrubbery, pointing out a fountain as they passed. But her mind was still focused on his last sentence. "What do you mean previous plans?" she asked, her brows furrowing together.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," he said. "We're almost to the entrance of the Keep. Would you like to explore or-?"

"What did Lady Olenna have planned before?" she asked, pausing and slipping her arm away from him. Willas was forced to stop as well, clear hesitation on his face.

"Lady Sansa, this really wouldn't be the time-"

"If you want me to be here, we need to be honest with each other. I won't stand to be where there are liars present. What did she want to use me for?"

"… I understand, Lady Sansa," he sighed, looking torn. "I'll explain as I walk you to your chambers. If you'll please…" She stared at his arm for a moment, hesitating, but by the look on his face she knew he would tell her. So, she placed her hand on his arm and let him lead her on.

For several long moments, Willas was silent. She watched him closely, until he finally sighed again and said, "My grandmother started planning this the moment she knew the Tyrell family would be going to King's Landing. She needed to get Margaery on the Throne and to do that they would have to cast you aside. She sent me a proposal by raven as soon as Joffrey had accepted Margery as his betrothed. She had had another plan in mind for you from the beginning." He had fallen quiet again, contemplating his next words. Sansa noticed the steps they were coming up to, beautiful white marble steps to match the colonnades, and wondered what her chambers could possibly look like. Everything here looked to be so lavished and organized, even more than King's Landing. She felt out of place in the well sculpted Keep and perfect gardens.

Would she ever feel comfortable again? Or would she have to wait until she was home in the North?

Willas started again, dragging her from her thoughts, "The letter contained the entire planning. Grandmother wanted to speak to you within the week, but Joffrey had made sure no one could get to you while they worked on the trial for Ser Clegane-"

"Please, call him Sandor. He is not an anointed Knight and I don't wish you to be on the receiving end of his temper when he points out he is no Ser."

"He's a very interesting man," Willas chuckled.

Sansa smiled and murmured, "Very interesting, indeed." She cleared her throat and said, "As you were saying…"

"Yes, yes. She had wanted to speak with you, to discuss a possible alliance with our family… between you and I."

Sansa almost blanched at the suggestion. "W-why would she want me?"

"To get you out of King's Landing, milady. I have been part of her plans since I was born. She has had me waiting for a wife until she finds the right alliance for House Tyrell. For a short period of time, Grandmother thought you would be perfect. Aligning our Families as one, with the connections across the realm my family has and you as one of the last Stark members and key to the North. It would have been the best political marriage any of us could have imagined."

"Joffrey would have found a way to ruin it. More likely than not, the Queen Regent would have found a way to tie me into the Lannister Family, so I had no escape," Sansa said softly. "Joffrey took that from his Mother, because he wanted to torture Sandor and I both. I half imagine Joffrey thought 'his Dog' would have killed me before long. He doesn't know Sandor as I do."

"… Milady, are you happy with your marriage?" Willas paused, as they were turning on one of the many corridors they had passed. For some time they had been walking inside of the Keep where everything was brightly lit and beautiful artwork hung on every wall.

"What are you asking me, Lord Willas?" she asked.

"If, for some reason you weren't happy, I could find a way to help you away from Sandor Clegane."

"You would do what, milord?" she asked, her voice short. "Murder my husband? Poison him in his sleep? Or send a hired knife after him? Many young ladies like myself have been married to strangers and to someone much worse. I know Sandor; he's nothing, but kind and gentle to me. He has a bit of a temper, but he has never harmed me or told me anything that wasn't true. He will never lie to me."

Willas bowed his head immediately. "My apologizes, Lady Sansa. I did not mean any offense."

She looked at him for some time, feeling a protective wave wash over her. Eventually, she inquired, "Am I welcomed here as you truly state? Can I be completely honest with you?"

"Of course," he answered immediately.

"I want to make something very clear. Robb is my King and I am his sister, a Princess of the North. Sandor Clegane is my husband, married to me, and, by that marriage, he is a Prince of the North. While we are both here, he will be treated as nothing less. There is no harm to come to him." She paused and gave him a poised smile before continuing, "Remember, the North never forgets. If anything happens to him, I will make sure vengeance will be brought to those who harmed him." She kept her face neutral and stood there, her back straight and her fingers twined in front of her little bump. She felt a small thrill at seeing the surprised look on his face.

They stood there, staring at one another for many tense moments, and then Sansa smiled again and asked, "How much further to my chambers, milord?"

"J-just down here, milady," he said. He beckoned her forward, not offering his arm this time as he told her, "This is a pretty quiet corridor and down the hall, there are steps that will take you to a tower at the very top. This tower is one of our tallest and will let you see Highgarden and the Reach for all of its beauty. I shall not be too far from your chambers, just the tower over if you are ever in need of any assistance."

They stopped at the foot of a winding staircase. She gave him another pleasant smile and asked him, "Would you please send Sandor up this way? And shall we have the evening meal together or would you rather wait until we break our fast?"

"Let us break our fast together. I'm sure there is much to discuss with Clegane and more likely than not, you need to rest as well."

"I think that will be best. Thank you again, Lord Willas; both for your hospitality and your concern. If I ever have any need from you, I will let you know."

He bowed his head in acknowledgement. "There is no need to thank me, milady. Rest well this afternoon. I will send a few handmaidens up with some water and food in a bit. I hope to see both Sandor and you in the morning and please, let me know when you would like to see Maester Lomys."

"Of course, milord." With a final bow, Willas Tyrell turned back around and began to walk back down the hall which they had come, his limp more obvious now. Sighing softly, Sansa turned her attention back to the winding stairs that led up to her new chambers. "Well, this is our new home," she murmured softly, touching the swell for a moment. She started up the stairs slowly, running her fingers lightly across the rough, cool stone as she moved. Torches lined the spiraling stairs, flickering against the dark yellow stones and casting shadows against the walls. There weren't any windows in the stairway, so she hadn't a clue how far up she was until she reached the wooden door of her chambers.

Pushing open the door was like stepping into another world. Everything was so much different from the Red Keep in King's Landing, she couldn't help, but stop and gape at her surroundings. If she had thought the bedchamber she and Sandor had had before was lavish, she was extremely mistaken. This bedchamber was twice as large. At the left end of the chamber, in its own archway, lay a spacious bed covered in a coverlet of gold and silver with beautiful stitching of roses and thorns. The bed was covered with so many pillows Sansa doubted she'd ever use them all. To the right end was another archway, where a gold-encased washtub sat, along with the chamber pot, a small washbin and a looking glass in a golden frame hanging on the wall. Between the two arches was a balcony and, on that balcony, was cushioned benches covered in more pillows.

Sansa closed the door behind her slowly and turned. The walls behind her were lined with shelves filled with more texts than she had remembered seeing in a long time. In the far corner on the right, there was a desk shoved into the corner. On the left, there was a wardrobe squeezed into the other corner. Her fingers twitched to touch the spines of the books and to see what they were about, but she would have time for reading at another time. First, she wanted to see the outside.

Walking to the balcony, Sansa could see the true glory of The Reach. Everywhere she could see, the country side was covered in beautiful greenery. There were fields upon fields of golden roses. Below, she could see a whole cluster of trees beneath her balcony. The Mander was in the distance, the river looking smaller than she knew it was. If she squinted, she could make out the small boats that drifted around the river. The smell of peaches wafted up to her window, nearly making her stomach grumble despite all the food she had consumed in the carriage. Nothing here smelt of death or decay or something more foul. Highgarden was nothing, but beautiful flowers and trees and the ripest fruit.

She could have been there all day, settled on her knees and with her elbows resting on the ledge to view below. The wind blew, moist from the Mander, and she couldn't help, but sigh in pleasure. If she was being honest with herself, this was extremely relaxing. Sansa would be on edge for a while, but if everything went as Willas promised, she could learn to be comfortable in this new place…

For some time, Sansa continued to sit out at the balcony, staring at the scenery below her and enjoying the fresh smells. She was taking this moment to figure out her new life. Despite riding on Secondwind, meeting Willas Tyrell, and now sitting in her new bedchamber, Sansa found it hard to believe she was safe. She just knew there had to be some sort of catch or reason behind this, even though she had helped murder Joffrey Lannister.

Behind her, the door to the chamber opened. She turned around, already knowing who to expect.

Sandor ambled in, arms laden with their bags and the books Willas had given her in the carriage. She got to her feet immediately to help, but, before she had a chance to, Sandor dropped the bags unceremoniously to the ground and deposited the texts onto the table in front of him. He didn't say a word to her as he looked over the room, almost as if he was deliberately avoiding looking at her. She swallowed, slowly asking, "How was the ride, Sandor?"

"As if you give a fuck," he muttered, glaring at her and started to walk away.

"Sandor!" she said in exasperation, following after him. He was almost to the washbin when she grabbed for his arm. At her touch, he wrenched away immediately, but, instead of glaring at her like he usually did, Sandor grabbed hold of her shoulder and shoved her up against a wall. She froze at once, eyes wide in shock. He had never touched her like that before.

"What the hell do you think you're trying to do?" he growled, looking angrier than she ever remembered him being. Before she could say anything, he hissed out, "You think I'm just that damn Dog from King's Landing who will get kicked around and come crawling back when the girl calls?"

She tried to get out, "I didn't mean to-"

But he barreled on through her words, grounding out the next words in a terrifying voice she had never heard before, "I won't be dismissed like some worthless animal who you don't want around anymore! If you don't want me around, girl, just fucking say it and let me be on my way. I'm sure you would rather the pretty little Lordling be your husband instead…" His grip tightened considerably, so much Sansa imagined she would bruise.

"What are you trying to say?" she asked, her voice shaking. "You don't think I'm trying to get rid of you, do you…?" She whimpered when he continued to squeeze her shoulders, his expression never wavering.

"Then, what the fuck were you doing, dismissing me and climbing into the fucking carriage with that cunt?!" There wasn't a time Sansa could remember the Hound being so angry at her. She couldn't bring any words to her mouth, could only stare back at him and try to figure out why…

Then, she saw it, in his eyes; fear. And she understood everything.

"Oh, Sandor," she whispered, reaching up to touch the unmarred side of his face. He didn't jerk away from her this time, though the corner of his lip twitched and he almost growled at her. "Never worry about me leaving. I won't dismiss you from my side or throw you away like some used up cloth. You are my family, the father to our child. It won't matter who it is; Willas Tyrell or Loras or any other man in this world. It is you that I want now and no one will take you away from me. Don't you ever doubt that I will want another man in my life."

The grip he had on her loosened and he bowed his head to rest on her shoulder. "Fucking hells, Little Bird," he rasped quietly. "I just-"

"You've had nothing, but hell for some time," she murmured, easily shaking off his hold on her shoulders and wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms found their way around her waist and he pulled her onto him as he sunk to his knees. She noticed he had begun to shake and closed her eyes. This wasn't fair, what he had to go through in his past. From the burns on his face and the japes at his appearance, he likely never thought he would have a family and a wife and a child who would all love him. She continued softly, "I'll make sure you never have to go through anything like that again. You're mine now and forever. My family, my life, and I won't let anyone take that away from you." The arms around her tightened considerably. She pressed a light kiss to his head and sat there in silence, waiting to hear what he might want to say.

For quite some time, they sat there on the floor without a word. It took some time, but eventually Sandor's grip loosened and he muttered quietly, "I don't mean to be a fucking shit all the time."

Sansa couldn't fight the grin that stretched on her face. "I wouldn't say all the time exactly. You have a temper that needs to be controlled and a bad habit of holding onto grudges, but we can work on that… I am sorry for lying to you. If I had thought there was another way, I would have told you about it sooner… Sandor, you can't hold onto this anger when I do something wrong. We need to communicate with each other. There isn't time for us to be at odds with the other."

"… Aye, Little Bird. I can agree with that," he rasped, finally lifting his head and meeting her eyes.

She leaned forward and kissed him chastely. She wished they had more time of silence, where they could kiss and Sandor could touch her and take her to their new bed. But a knock interrupted them. With a sigh, Sansa wiggled off of his lap and stood up. "Later?" she asked, smiling.

"Later," he agreed, standing up and, to her surprise, lifting her so he could kiss her fervently in a brief moment. After he left her standing there, hot and bothered and stunned by his actions, while he went to answer the door.

~A/N~

Well, I hated how this chapter played out, but there wasn't much more I could have happening in this chapter and Sandor and Sansa needed to start moving in another direction. I just couldn't get the scene just right, despite rewriting it five times. Hopefully you all enjoyed the chapter, I'm hoping the next one will be out shortly!

Thank you all for the reviews and favs/follows, it makes my day every time I see one.

R&R

XmX