The Hound was doing his best not to appear nervous, but going off the path was definitely a risky move. There had been a fucking body in the path as though it had been left for him. He had seen plenty of bodies... killed plenty of people... but there was still something disturbing about seeing it splayed across the road.
Arya had been quiet. He wondered if she was at all uneasy. She tended to keep her emotions to herself unless it was her discontent for him. She wore that like a badge of pride.
They were making their way through a thicker group of trees. The Hound pulled back a low hanging branch, allowing Arya to pass through. He considered letting go of the branch and letting it smack her, but her silence was not unpleasant. Still, the idea of getting under her skin was always appealing.
The crackling of a branch yanked him from his thoughts and he looked around quickly, alert.
"Girl..." he began, bringing his hand to rest on the hilt of his sword.
She was turning around to look at him when an arrow came sailing out of the trees, burying itself into the tree inches from her head.
Drawing his sword, he kicked his horse in the sides. "Forward!" he roared.
She had grabbed Needle as well, but she bolted her horse forward as well.
He wasn't sure how many men could have been back there, but they needed to move the fuck forward. He turned to glance behind them, but saw nothing. Ahead of him, Arya was rushing forward, Needle in hand.
The next arrow came flying through and struck the flank of Arya's horse. The mare let out a scream and reared up, sending Arya tumbling to the ground.
Cursing, he slowed his horse to a halt. A second later, there was a man coming through the trees, a sword brandished.
A quick glance at Arya indicated she was okay, but had the wind knocked out of her. He turned his attention to the fucker coming at him and he pulled out his sword, sliding off Stranger.
The man paused a few feet away. "No one has to die today," he cautioned, eying the Hound and sizing him up. "We's just needing your gold and your horse."
The Hound snorted. The man seemed like he would be an easy kill, but how many more were there? "Who the fuck is we?" Any information to gauge the situation would be helpful at this point.
The sound of Arya wheezing and pulling herself up captured the man's attention and he curved his lips into a nasty smile. "Aye, maybe we'll take the girl too."
Just the look that fucking man cast at Arya made the Hound's blood boil. "Like fuck you are!" He lunged forward, slashing his sword viciously.
The mini brawl that ensued was brief. The Hound ended it by burying his sword into the chest of the man. He barely had time to yank out his sword when the next couple men came into view.
They appeared to be common thieves, but fuck, there were three more. He cast a glance at Arya, who had brandished Needle in front of her, her face set.
The Hound yanked her back. "Stay behind me and stay out of my way, wolf girl."
"Oh fuck that. You need me," she bristled angrily.
He didn't have time to retort before the thieves were on them. He focused on the three thugs in front of him, silently praying Arya would stay away and out of trouble. He didn't need to be worried about her wellbeing. He had enough to focus on.
He had slain the weaker man on the right without trouble, but the other two were clearly more skilled. He wounded the smaller of the two, but the bulkier one was quick for his size. Fuck, he was getting tired of this shit. Couldn't they have one day where something didn't happen?
Biting his lip, he focused his attention on at least making contact with the bigger man, when he saw Arya coming up from the side. She never fucking listened. She jabbed Needle at the shorter of the two. The man stumbled and turned his attention to the girl.
His momentary lapse in attention cost him. The thief's sword sliced into his arm and he let out a roar of pain. He slashed at the air and finally succeeded in a fatal slice to the man's neck.
Meanwhile, Arya had finished off the smaller of the two. She lifted her head to glance at the Hound, pushing a lock of hair back and smirking slightly. "Told you! You did need me."
The Hound knelt to the ground, ripping off a strip of the slain man's tunic, moving to sop up some of the blood gushing from his arm. It fucking hurt. "I wouldn't have had my arm fucking cut open if you hadn't interfered."
She glared, but moved forward, snatching the fabric from him and wrapping it around the wound. "You could just say thank you, you arse."
He winced as she tightened the bandage. "I give thanks where it is due." He glanced at her. She seemed to be fine. "Are you hurt, girl?"
Arya shook her head. "Fine. We should get your arm looked at. It's kind of deep," she admitted.
"It's fine. Let's just get the fuck away from here." He moved to stand up and glanced at Arya's mare, which lay on the forest floor, the labored breathing indicative of its suffering.
"Your horse is as good as dead. Should I finish it?"
She glanced over at the horse and she bit her lip and frowned. "I've got it. Just give me a minute."
The Hound nodded, busying himself with checking the pockets of the men he had killed. They had a little bit of gold and a little food. No other horse nearby. He cast a sideways glance at the girl. She was laying by her horse and stroking her head, whispering something.
Arya finally stood up and she plunged Needle quickly into the mare's head, mercifully. She cleaned off the sword and she moved back toward the Hound. "I guess it's back to old times until I get a new horse."
The Hound just grunted. He grabbed her and lifted her up on Stranger, climbing up behind her with her body pushed up against his. They hadn't ridden on the same horse for quite some time. It was not something he had been accustomed to, especially after her body had changed some. Given the recent interactions between them, he could tell it was going to be a difficult ride.
She sighed and cast one more glance at her fallen mare. "Where to now, Hound?" she asked dully.
He urged Stranger forward, taking note of how his arms brushed her side as he moved the reins. "To get you another fucking horse."
Arya was shaken. The thieves attacking had certainly rattled her, but losing the mare had been difficult. She remembered the day she had gotten her. That day in the pub when she had been reunited with Needle and the Hound had finally seen her as something other than a bristling girl.
Now here she was again, just like old times, leaned up against his chest as he led Stranger along. Just fucking great. She wondered how soon they would be reaching a town since they had returned to the actual path. Hopefully soon because she wanted a bath and to make sure the Hound's arm got looked at.
He had shook her off when she had expressed concern, but she knew he was as stubborn as they come. The brief glimpse of it that she had gotten had indicated it was not good. He could lose the arm maybe. He might deserve it though - he was blaming her for his injury. When the hell did stepping in to aid someone being attacked contribute to injuries? He was an idiot sometimes.
She let out a sigh of frustration, feeling oddly cozy and much warmer being in such close proximity to him, but it made her sleepy.
He jabbed her roughly with his arm, causing her to jolt up. "I think we can make it a little further to the village through these woods.."
"Ouch!" she snarled, elbowing him in the ribs. "Don't be such a dick."
"Don't be such a wimpy cunt." He adjusted the reins slightly and his hand was resting on her thigh.
She stiffened slightly, opening her mouth to retort to his rude comment, but resigning to silence. There really was no use.
The Hound didn't say much as they road into the darkness, but he did not remove his hand either. It wasn't bothering Arya. Of course not. However, it was just unlike him. He was full of surprises these days, but he was definitely not tender.
Perhaps an hour had passed before the sight of lanterns appeared in the distance. Finally a village. Arya had been leaning back into the Hound's chest and dozing off oh so slightly when the flicker of the lights had captured her attention. Finally she could get away from this man. It was really unnerving how damn comfortable it was being close to him. Part of her just wanted to snuggle closer, the other wanted to set him on fire.
"Wake up, wolf girl." The Hound gave her a shake, slightly gentler this time.
"I've been up." She straightened up, moving away from his chest and glancing ahead. "I just didn't want to hear you grumbling or even talk to you at all."
"Well good. We'll get a room and you can have your peace and quiet. I'll be out."
Out? She turned her head to peer at him. "Out where? To get that arm looked at?"
"Sure." He seemed to be in a fowl mood. It probably was his arm bothering him, but she was still not about to have any of it.
"Where?" She elbowed him sharply in the ribs.
He grabbed her arm and twisted her back forward, not gently. "Wherever the fuck I want. Now shut up."
They were approaching what appeared to be the inn and the Hound hopped off the horse, helping Arya down and sending for the stable boy.
Arya followed the Hound and the innkeeper to the modest room. The innkeeper sent for some hot water and she sighed. Finally a hot bath. She needed it. She headed to the tub, running her hand along the side. Soon she could relax.
The Hound set their supply bag on the floor and he grabbed the coin purse, heading toward the door. "Stay in here," he ordered.
She cocked her head suspiciously. "Where are you going?"
"Out. Shut the fuck up with your questions. Don't make me come find you later." He was out the door a few seconds later, slamming it shut behind him.
What the hell was his problem? She bit her lip as one of the servants began to bring in some hot water to fill the tub. Perhaps he was going to get the arm looked at. More likely he was going to go fuck some whores. He was such a pig. All men were.
Sighing, she stripped off her clothes and climbed into the bath, laying her head back on the edge and trying not to moan as she felt the warm water hit her skin. It felt so nice.
Arya didn't know how long she lay in the tub, but she took her time in washing and relaxing. It had been a while since the last bath and she enjoyed how smooth and clean her skin felt.
It had to have been at least an hour before she finally climbed out of the tub. She knew her clothes would need some washing. No point in putting them on when they were filthy and she had just washed.
She rifled through the bag and pulled out the one dress she had. It was simple, but she really hated it. Still, it was better than running around with nothing on. She slipped it over her head, not really enjoying how it hugged her body. She felt very exposed.
She glanced out the window. It was dark and there was no sight of the loathsome Hound. He was probably off at the brothel. How pathetic. He always left her around like she was a child and she was growing tired of it. She wasn't sure exactly what she wanted from him, but she could feel her annoyance at him growing.
Adjusting the dress, she tucked Needle underneath the skirt and smoothed it out. He had told her to stay put, but she didn't need to listen to him. He never listened to her, so why should she. She would go out and find him. It was a small village. He really could only be in one of a few places. She would go out and she would find the loathsome Hound. If he wanted her to stay put so badly, he would have stayed there too.
Closing the innroom's door softly behind her, Arya smoothed her hair one last time before slipping out the door and into the night to find the Hound.
Okay, first of all, I apologize for the delay in updating. Real life can really make you its bitch sometimes and it's been a rough couple week for sure. I had a draft of a major paper due earlier this week and I have another draft for a different assignment due on Friday. I also volunteered to help with some tutoring and I can feel myself stretching thinner and thinner. That's just life for you!
Anyways, I know this chapter is short. I feel bad, but I had to get something down. Sometimes I sit down and write half a chapter and that was my intention tonight, but I decided to post instead. I have had some really nice reviews from people and I appreciate them so very much! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I felt like I had to update just a little bit to hold you guys over. I should have a regular, larger chapter up some time this weekend I hope. I have been mulling over where the rest of this evening is going to go. Arya in a dress, a pissed off Hound who told her to stay put. The possibilities are endless! Of course, I'm at my most creative when I have more pressing things like school to worry about.
So what I'm trying to say it, thanks everyone for being patient with this story. I hate disappointing people and I'm hoping this baby chapter will be just enough to slake your thirst until the next chapter. Have a super rest of your week, everyone!
~Pawprynt
